Mercedes-Benz India has issued a clarification on the use of E20 (20% ethanol-blended) petrol after popular YouTuber Sourav Joshi claimed that the mileage of his Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC had dropped significantly, sparking widespread discussion on social media. The automaker said its petrol BS VI vehicles are fully compatible with E20 fuel and meet all regulatory certification requirements.
The clarification came after Joshi shared a vlog in which he claimed that his SUV’s fuel efficiency had fallen from around 16–17 kmpl to 9 kmpl, before dropping further to 5 kmpl within two days. In the video, the creator attributed the decline to ethanol-blended fuel, saying he was concerned about the impact of E20 petrol on expensive vehicles. His remarks quickly gained traction online, triggering debate among automobile enthusiasts and consumers.
Responding to the claims, Mercedes-Benz India said its vehicles are engineered and certified to run on E20 fuel.
“At Mercedes-Benz, customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance are of paramount importance to us. All Mercedes-Benz petrol BS VI vehicles are materially compatible with E20 fuel and certified accordingly by relevant authorities,” the company said in its statement.
Customer Advisory pic.twitter.com/RxuTYl6Phz
— Mercedes-Benz India (@MercedesBenzInd) July 12, 2026
The company also advised customers to ensure they use good-quality fuel from authorised fuel stations and continue following the maintenance schedule recommended by Mercedes-Benz to achieve optimum vehicle performance. It did not directly comment on Joshi’s specific vehicle or the reasons behind the reported drop in mileage.
India has been gradually rolling out E20 petrol as part of its broader ethanol blending programme aimed at reducing crude oil imports and lowering carbon emissions. Automobile manufacturers have been updating vehicles to ensure compatibility with higher ethanol blends, with most newer petrol vehicles certified for E20 usage.
While Joshi’s video reignited concerns around ethanol-blended fuel among some consumers, Mercedes-Benz’s statement reiterates that its BS VI petrol lineup has been designed to support E20 fuel. The episode has also highlighted the growing influence of creators in shaping conversations around automobiles, often prompting brands to respond publicly to consumer concerns.
“Hamari gaadi ki mileage 17 se seedhe 9 ki. Aur aaj 5 ki ho gayi”
Vlogger Saurabh Joshi claims his car mileage has dropped by less than half. https://t.co/9tJBmzuu2F pic.twitter.com/Pmu3VaaDlv
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 12, 2026
FAQs
- Why did Mercedes-Benz issue a clarification on E20 fuel?
Mercedes-Benz issued the clarification after YouTuber Sourav Joshi claimed that his car’s mileage dropped significantly after using E20 petrol, leading to widespread discussion online.
- Are Mercedes-Benz petrol cars compatible with E20 fuel?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz India said all its BS VI petrol vehicles are certified and compatible with E20 (20% ethanol-blended) fuel.
- What did Sourav Joshi claim about E20 petrol?
Sourav Joshi claimed in a vlog that the fuel efficiency of his Mercedes-Benz GLC dropped sharply after he started using E20 petrol.
- What is E20 petrol?
E20 petrol is fuel that contains 20% ethanol blended with 80% petrol. It is part of the Indian government’s ethanol blending programme aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependence and emissions.
- Did Mercedes-Benz confirm that E20 fuel caused the mileage drop?
No. Mercedes-Benz did not attribute the reported mileage drop to E20 fuel and instead stated that its BS VI petrol vehicles are engineered and certified to run on E20 petrol.
