Mercedes Rebuts YouTuber's E20 Fuel Claim

A popular Indian YouTuber, Saurav Joshi, has sparked a controversy over ethanol-blended E20 petrol after claiming that the fuel severely damaged his Mercedes-Benz SUV's mileage.

The claim was made in a vlog that drew millions of views, prompting a rare public rebuttal from Mercedes-Benz India. In the vlog, Joshi said his Mercedes used to give 16 to 17 km per litre mileage, but after switching to E20 petrol, the mileage dropped to 5 km per litre.

Joshi attributed the drop to E20 petrol, saying 'my car will be ruined soon'. However, he later edited the segment out of the video after facing scepticism online over the accuracy of his mileage figures.

Mercedes-Benz India responded with a customer advisory defending the compatibility of its vehicles with E20 fuel. The company said that all its petrol BS-VI vehicles, including post-2020 models, are compatible with E20 fuel and certified accordingly by relevant authorities.

The advisory added that the company remains committed to sustainable mobility and is happy to support customers with any technical queries. Mercedes-Benz also pointed to typical real-world mileage figures of 10 to 12 km per litre for such models, which is already lower than the numbers Joshi cited before the fuel switch.

The controversy also drew a response from Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who said that personal mileage checks done by simply filling the tank are unreliable and should instead be verified using machines at authorised service centres.

Gadkari advised vehicle owners facing such issues while still under warranty to file a complaint with their dealer and pursue consumer court if necessary. He said that the mileage problems were more likely linked to fuel adulteration rather than ethanol blending itself.

India has been pushing ahead with its E20 rollout, aiming to complete the transition by early 2026 as part of its sustainable mobility initiatives. The debate around E20 petrol has intensified, with opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav, citing the video to question the government's ethanol blending programme.

The controversy highlights the need for accurate information and verification of claims, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Saurav Joshi's claim about E20 fuel damaging his Mercedes has sparked a wider debate about the government's ethanol blending programme and the need for accurate information and verification of claims.

As India continues to push ahead with its sustainable mobility initiatives, it is essential to address concerns and provide clarity on the compatibility of vehicles with E20 fuel.

The government and automobile manufacturers must work together to provide accurate information and support to customers, ensuring a smooth transition to E20 petrol and addressing any concerns or issues that may arise.

This controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the automotive industry, and the need for stakeholders to work together to provide accurate information and support to customers.