Noida, July 13 (APAC Media): Mercedes-Benz India has issued a clarification stating that all its petrol BS VI vehicles are compatible with E20 fuel after popular YouTube vlogger Sourav Joshi claimed that the mileage of his Mercedes-Benz SUV had witnessed a significant decline following refuelling with ethanol-blended petrol.
The German luxury carmaker said its vehicles meet the required fuel compatibility standards and assured customers that E20 petrol does not pose a reliability concern for its approved BS VI petrol models.
In an advisory shared on social media, Mercedes-Benz India said, “All Mercedes-Benz petrol BS VI vehicles are materially compatible with E20 fuel and certified accordingly by relevant authorities.”
The company added, “At Mercedes-Benz, customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance are of paramount importance to us. We are happy to support customers for any technical queries. Mercedes-Benz remains committed to sustainable mobility.”
Customer Advisory pic.twitter.com/RxuTYl6Phz
— Mercedes-Benz India (@MercedesBenzInd) July 12, 2026
The statement came after Sourav Joshi, among India’s most-followed daily vloggers, posted a video claiming that the fuel efficiency of his Mercedes SUV had dropped sharply within a short period.
Joshi said his vehicle’s mileage had fallen from around 17 kilometres per litre to nearly 5 kilometres per litre in just two days. Sharing the vehicle’s display with his viewers, he said, “Yesterday I showed you our car’s mileage had gone from 17 straight down to 9. And do you know what it has become today? Today it has reached five.”
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The vlogger attributed the decline to ethanol-blended petrol available at local fuel stations and expressed concerns about possible damage to the vehicle’s engine.
“This is what has happened because of ethanol,” Joshi claimed, adding that he was worried about the long-term impact on his luxury SUV. He further said, “I don’t know when this car will break down. Nowadays I’m so scared of refilling petrol.”
Joshi also claimed that the vehicle’s estimated driving range after a full tank had reduced from nearly 800 kilometres to around 480 kilometres. He said the sudden change in efficiency had raised concerns among him and his followers regarding the impact of E20 petrol on premium vehicles.
The debate over E20 fuel has intensified in India as the government expands the use of ethanol-blended petrol to reduce dependence on imported crude oil.
E20 petrol contains 20 per cent ethanol blended with 80 per cent petrol.
While concerns have been raised about mileage reduction and compatibility issues in older vehicles not designed for higher ethanol blends, automobile manufacturers have stated that newer BS VI vehicles are developed according to updated fuel standards.
The government has defended the ethanol blending programme, saying it has benefited farmers, supported the sugar sector and reduced the country’s foreign exchange burden.
Officials have stated that the initiative has helped India save more than ₹1.90 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15.
As E20 petrol becomes increasingly available nationwide, manufacturers continue to advise customers to follow vehicle-specific fuel recommendations and maintenance guidelines.
–ENDS–
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. APAC Media is not liable for any investment decisions or losses. Please conduct your own research or consult a financial advisor before investing.
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