After a popular YouTuber claimed that the fuel efficiency of his Mercedes GLC SUV dropped significantly after adding E20 petrol, Mercedes-Benz India has issued a clarification on the same. The carmaker said all its BS VI petrol models sold in India are compatible with E20 fuel and meet the required certification standards.The controversy started when content creator Saurav Joshi shared a video claiming that the fuel economy of his Mercedes-Benz SUV dropped from about 17 kmpl to just 5 kmpl in two days. He also claimed that after switching to E20 gasoline, the vehicle’s estimated driving range dropped from nearly 800 kilometers on a full tank to about 480 kilometers. He expressed concerns about the fuel, saying blending ethanol with gasoline could affect engine reliability and saying he was worried about using his gasoline-powered SUV.Soon after, Mercedes-Benz India issued a customer advisory stating that customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance remain its top priorities. The company clarified that all Mercedes-Benz BS VI petrol vehicles are compatible with E20 fuel substance and have been certified by the relevant agencies. It also said customers experiencing technical issues could seek help from the brand.E20 gasoline, which contains 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline, has been at the center of wider public debate in recent weeks. While some owners report lower fuel efficiency with the blend, the government insists E20 is safe for compatible vehicles and says any reduction in mileage is expected to be limited, typically in the range of 3-5%, depending on the vehicle and operating conditions.
