Volkswagen Is Dropping the "ID" From Its Electric Cars-Here’s Why

Volkswagen is making a big change to how it names its electric vehicles, and it’s all about keeping things simple for buyers. Starting with the upcoming ID Polo in 2026, VW’s electric cars will share names with their gas-powered siblings rather than using the separate "ID" branding the company introduced six years ago.

Remember when VW launched the ID.3 back in 2018? The automaker was betting big on a completely separate identity for its electric lineup, with "ID" standing for the high-tech, all-electric future. Since then, we’ve seen everything from the compact ID.3 to the larger ID.7 sedan—VW’s electric answer to the Passat.

But now VW is switching gears. "Our model names are firmly anchored in people’s minds," explained VW brand boss Thomas Schafer this week. "The ID Polo is just the beginning."

Here’s how it’ll work: VW will match each new electric model with the name of whichever gas car is closest in size. So the ID Polo will sit right next to the regular Polo (which has been around since 1975, by the way) in VW showrooms. Both versions will be sold side by side, giving customers a clear choice between electric and gasoline power in familiar packages.

The change makes sense from a marketing perspective. Instead of learning an entirely new naming system, buyers can simply choose between, say, an electric Golf or a gas Golf when that transition eventually happens. VW says this approach will make it much easier for customers to figure out which car fits their needs.

Don’t worry about the current ID models disappearing overnight—this naming change will roll out gradually as VW introduces new generations of its electric vehicles. The gas-powered models will keep their current names, creating a unified lineup that should be much less confusing than the current split system.