Mercedes-Benz India has clarified that all BS VI petrol models are compatible with E20 fuel after YouTuber Sourav Joshi claimed a sharp fall in his SUV’s fuel efficiency.
Mercedes-Benz India has issued an official Mercedes-Benz E20 advisory after popular YouTuber Sourav Joshi claimed that the fuel efficiency of his Mercedes-Benz SUV dropped sharply following the use of E20 petrol. Under the Mercedes-Benz E20 advisory, the company assured customers that all its BS VI petrol vehicles sold in India are certified to run on E20 fuel and meet the required regulatory standards.
The Mercedes-Benz E20 advisory comes after Joshi’s video gained widespread attention on social media, triggering discussions among vehicle owners about E20 fuel, mileage and engine compatibility.
What did Sourav Joshi claim?
In a recent vlog, Sourav Joshi said that the mileage of his Mercedes-Benz SUV reduced significantly over a short period. According to him, the vehicle’s fuel efficiency dropped from around 17 kmpl to 9 kmpl, before falling further to nearly 5 kmpl.
The YouTuber also claimed that the estimated driving range on a full tank had reduced from around 800 kilometres to about 480 kilometres. Expressing concern, he suggested that the issue could be linked to ethanol-blended E20 petrol and said he was worried about the long-term performance of his vehicle.
However, after the company issued Mercedes-Benz E20 advisory, Sourav Joshi uploaded another video saying that Mercedes service engineers found an engine-related issue and that his intention was never to spread misinformation.
Mercedes-Benz issues official clarification
Following the viral discussion, Mercedes-Benz India released a customer advisory. Although the company did not mention Sourav Joshi directly, it stated that all Mercedes-Benz BS VI petrol vehicles are materially compatible with E20 fuel and have been certified by the relevant authorities.
The company also said customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance remain its priority, adding that owners can contact authorised service centres for any technical assistance related to their vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz E20 advisory also reiterates that compatible BS VI petrol models have been tested to operate with E20 fuel under applicable regulatory standards.
What is E20 petrol?
E20 petrol is a blend consisting of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. The fuel has been introduced as part of India’s ethanol blending programme aimed at reducing crude oil imports and lowering vehicle emissions.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has earlier stated that while some vehicles may experience a 3% to 5% reduction in fuel economy, the environmental and energy security benefits of E20 outweigh the slight impact on mileage.
Did Mercedes-Benz explain the mileage drop?
Mercedes-Benz’s statement focused on fuel compatibility but did not provide a specific reason for the significant mileage figures highlighted in the viral video.
The company reiterated that its BS VI petrol models are designed for E20 fuel, but it did not comment on the reported drop from 17 kmpl to 5 kmpl in the particular vehicle.
E20 fuel debate continues
The latest controversy comes at a time when E20 petrol continues to attract public attention. Some vehicle owners have raised concerns about fuel efficiency and performance after the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel, while the government has maintained that the programme is safe for compatible vehicles and beneficial for reducing emissions and dependence on imported crude oil.
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Mercedes-Benz E20 advisory FAQs:
Is Mercedes-Benz compatible with E20 petrol?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz India says all its BS VI petrol vehicles sold in India are compatible with E20 fuel and certified by the relevant authorities.
Why did Sourav Joshi raise concerns about E20 fuel?
The YouTuber claimed his Mercedes-Benz SUV’s mileage dropped sharply after using E20 petrol and questioned whether the fuel was responsible.
Did Mercedes-Benz confirm E20 caused the mileage drop?
No. The company confirmed E20 compatibility but did not attribute the reported mileage reduction to the fuel.
Can E20 petrol reduce fuel efficiency?
According to the government, E20 may reduce mileage by around 3% to 5% in some vehicles, depending on their design and compatibility.
