YouTuber Sourav Joshi Says Mercedes-Benz Mileage Plunged From 17 To 5 KMPL After Using E20 Fuel, Carmaker Clarifies

Last Updated:July 13, 2026, 18:19 IST

Sourav Joshi pointed to the digital instrument cluster of his Mercedes-Benz GLC, which showed a sharp fall in fuel efficiency

Popular YouTuber and lifestyle vlogger Sourav Joshi has triggered a fresh debate over E20 petrol after claiming that the mileage of his Mercedes-Benz GLC fell dramatically from around 16-17 kmpl to just 5 kmpl after refuelling.

Joshi raised concerns about whether the ethanol-blended fuel had affected his luxury SUV and feared that continuing to drive it could cause engine damage. In his vlog, he also spoke about the difficulty of transporting the vehicle from Haldwani to an authorised service centre in Delhi for inspection.

As his video gained widespread attention online, Mercedes-Benz India stepped in with a clarification, saying its BS VI petrol vehicles are certified to run on E20 fuel. The company’s response sought to address concerns raised by Joshi’s claims and the wider debate they sparked among motorists.

Mercedes-Benz Responds To E20 Petrol Concerns

Mercedes-Benz India maintained that its modern petrol vehicles sold in the country are compatible with fuel containing 20 per cent ethanol.

“At Mercedes-Benz, customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance are of paramount importance to use. All Mercedes-Benz petrol BS VI vehicles are materially compatible with E20 fuel and certified accordingly by elevant authorities. We are happy to support customers for any technical queries. Mercedes-Benz remains committed to sustainable mobility," the company said.

The statement came after Joshi’s experience led to questions online about whether E20 petrol could affect the performance and fuel economy of premium cars.

What Sourav Joshi Claimed About His Mercedes-Benz

In his video, Joshi pointed to the digital instrument cluster of his Mercedes-Benz GLC, which showed a sharp fall in fuel efficiency. He claimed the SUV, which had earlier delivered an estimated 16-17 kmpl, was now returning only about 5 kmpl.

The drastic change left the vlogger concerned about the health of the engine. He suspected that E20 petrol could be behind the problem, although no professional diagnosis establishing such a link was mentioned in the information available.

Does A Mileage Drop Prove E20 Petrol Is To Blame?

A sudden change in the mileage displayed on a vehicle’s instrument cluster does not, by itself, establish the exact cause of the problem. Fuel economy can vary because of several factors, including driving style, traffic, prolonged idling, short journeys, road conditions and the way the vehicle’s onboard computer calculates average consumption.

Determining whether E20 petrol, fuel quality or a mechanical fault caused the reported drop would require a proper technical inspection. An engine examination, fuel-quality test and On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) scan could help identify the actual reason.

Until such checks are carried out, attributing the fall in mileage solely to E20 petrol remains an unverified claim.

The episode has once again brought the Mercedes-Benz E20 compatibility debate into focus at a time when India is expanding the use of petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol.

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Anushka Vats

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ...Read More

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