Sourav Joshi’s mileage complaint fuels E20 debate, Mercedes-Benz issues clarification

MUMBAI: One tank of fuel has driven a much bigger conversation. A video by Sourav Joshi questioning the impact of ethanol-blended petrol on his Mercedes-Benz SUV has sparked widespread discussion online, prompting Mercedes-Benz India to publicly reaffirm that all of its BS VI petrol vehicles are fully compatible with E20 fuel.

In the video, Joshi claimed his SUV’s fuel efficiency dropped dramatically from around 17 km per litre to nearly 5 km per litre within two days after refuelling. He also said the vehicle’s estimated driving range after a full tank fell from roughly 800 km to about 480 km.

Attributing the decline to ethanol-blended petrol available at local fuel stations, the YouTuber voiced concerns about the possible long-term impact of the fuel on the vehicle’s engine. He added that the experience had made him hesitant to refill the SUV.

The video quickly gained traction on social media, reigniting discussions around E20 petrol, its effect on real-world fuel economy and the readiness of vehicles for higher ethanol blends.

Without directly referring to Joshi or his video, Mercedes-Benz India issued a customer advisory reiterating that customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance remain its highest priorities.

The automaker said all Mercedes-Benz BS VI petrol vehicles are “materially compatible” with E20 fuel and have been certified by the relevant authorities. It also said customers with technical queries could reach out for support, adding that the company remains committed to sustainable mobility.

E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol, is being introduced across India as part of the government’s strategy to reduce crude oil imports and increase the use of domestically produced biofuels.

While the programme has been promoted as an important step towards improving energy security and supporting the domestic sugar industry, some motorists have questioned whether higher ethanol blends could affect fuel economy or older vehicles that were not designed for E20.

The Centre has defended the rollout, saying the ethanol blending programme has increased farmer incomes, strengthened the sugar sector and helped India save more than Rs 1.90 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15. It has also maintained that vehicle manufacturers have introduced E20-compatible models in line with the phased implementation of the policy.

While Mercedes-Benz has maintained that its BS VI petrol vehicles are engineered to operate on E20 fuel, Sourav Joshi’s viral video has brought renewed public attention to the gap between certified compatibility and the real-world driving experiences that consumers often discuss online.