Mercedes-Benz India has issued a customer advisory stating that all its BS VI petrol vehicles are fully compatible with E20 fuel, following claims by popular YouTuber Sourav Joshi that ethanol-blended petrol had caused a sharp drop in the fuel efficiency of his Mercedes SUV.
The automaker released the clarification after Joshi’s video, in which he blamed E20 petrol for a significant decline in mileage, gained widespread attention on social media.
What Sourav Joshi Claimed
In a recent YouTube vlog, Sourav Joshi alleged that the mileage of his Mercedes-Benz SUV dropped dramatically within two days.
According to the vlogger, the vehicle’s fuel efficiency reportedly fell from around 17 kmpl to 5 kmpl. He also claimed that the estimated driving range after a full tank reduced from nearly 800 km to 480 km, leading him to worry about possible engine damage.
Joshi attributed the decline to ethanol-blended petrol available at local fuel stations.
Mercedes-Benz India’s Response
Responding to the concerns, Mercedes-Benz India said all its petrol BS VI models are certified to run on E20 fuel.
In its advisory, the company stated:
“All Mercedes-Benz petrol BS VI vehicles are materially compatible with E20 fuel and certified accordingly by relevant authorities.”
The luxury carmaker added that customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance remain its priorities and said it is available to assist customers with any technical concerns related to their vehicles.
What Is E20 Fuel?
E20 is a blend comprising 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. The Indian government has been promoting ethanol blending to reduce crude oil imports, lower emissions and support the domestic sugarcane industry.
However, the rollout has sparked debate, with some motorists claiming reduced fuel efficiency and concerns about compatibility in older vehicles not designed for higher ethanol blends.
The government has maintained that the ethanol blending programme has benefited farmers, strengthened the sugar economy and helped India save more than ₹1.90 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15.
While Mercedes-Benz says its BS VI petrol vehicles are compatible with E20 fuel, the exact cause of the mileage drop reported by Sourav Joshi has not been independently established.
