Mercedes-Benz refutes YouTuber's claim of drastic mileage drop on E20 petrol

Indian YouTuber Sourabh Joshi posted a vlog claiming his Mercedes‑Benz GLC 300 4MATIC SUV’s fuel‑economy fell sharply after refuelling with E20 petrol, dropping from about 17 km per litre to 5 km per litre within 48 hours. He attributed the loss to the ethanol‑blended fuel, noting a reduction in full‑tank range from roughly 800 km to 480 km, and the video quickly went viral.

Mercedes‑Benz India responded with an official advisory, stating that all its BS6‑type petrol vehicles are fully compatible with E20 fuel, have been tested and cleared by the relevant authorities, and that safety, reliability and performance remain priorities. The company urged owners experiencing issues to consult authorised service centres.

India’s petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri has previously asserted that E20 fuel poses no problems for vehicles, with millions of two‑ and four‑wheelers already using the blend since April 2025.