The use of E20 petrol (and hence the reduction in fuel efficiency) has been brought to a head by popular YouTuber Sourav Joshi who said that his luxury vehicle was suffering from a drop in fuel efficiency for using the higher ethanol-blended fuel. This has reopened the debate on the compatibility of E20 fuel with vehicles and on India’s transition to cleaner fuels.
The discussion started when Sourav Joshi announced on social media that the mileage of his Mercedes-Benz vehicle was lower after refuelling with E20 petrol. And so his comments quickly spread online; automobile lovers, current Mercedes owners and potential buyers all started asking about the effect of E20 fuel on premium cars.
Mercedes-Benz India now fully acknowledges the growing popularity of E20 fuel compatibility, and said it is up to customers to follow the fuel recommendation in the owner's manual of their car and explained that compatibility with E20 fuel would depend on the type of engine, engine and year of production.
E20 petrol has 20 percent ethanol in its mix with 80% petrol, compared to 10 percent ethanol in E10 fuel for the same application. The Government of India has been actively promoting higher ethanol blending as part of its overall strategy to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote domestic sugarcane-based ethanol production. India will benefit from the transition to E20 fuel for the long-term to meet its energy security and environmental requirements.
While most new cars are built or updated to accept E20 fuel, not all petrol-powered vehicles will be fully compatible without manufacturer approval for today’s vehicles, automobile experts say. Ethanol is a different chemical agent than conventional petrol and its higher oxygen content does have a small impact on combustion characteristics and fuel economy as well as fuel economy, and it can have an effect on the combustion.
Ethanol is less dense and cheaper than petrol and the industry experts say ethanol has less energy per litre. The industry experts say that the higher ethanol levels also have low energy content (e.g., ethanol-based vehicles running on higher ethanol blends may not be as efficient at all, but the actual performance will depend on the fuel quality, driving conditions, traffic, weather, vehicle maintenance and how it is maintained.
To meet these characteristics, manufacturers tailor compatible engines to suit the needs of the engine to achieve it, and to retain its features to maintain a high level of performance and reliability.
Mercedes-Benz India said customers should be advised to take the technical advice from the official technical guidance and not their own experience on fuel decisions as a customer is what it should be based on. Engineering specifications are different for different generations of cars and fuels outside approved recommendations can affect performance or warranty in some cases, the company said.
The episode also demonstrated the increasing power of digital creators in influencing public discussions about automobiles. Popular YouTubers’ automotive content reaches millions of subscribers in a single episode, so manufacturers’ answers to questions about ownership of vehicles are particularly important when they are asked about auto technology.
India's automobile industry has been gradually adapting to the nationwide migration to E20 fuel. Some manufacturers have already introduced E20 compatible engines in newer models and others have provided detailed compatibility information for existing vehicles. And as ethanol blending spreads to every state of the country, fuel suppliers and policymakers are currently working with industry bodies to make sure the transition is seamless.
Consumers should consult with authorized dealerships or manufacturer documentation from the manufacturers before switching to higher ethanol blends if they are unsure about compatibility. The maintenance of vehicles as well as service schedules with the recommended service schedule, and use of approved fuels remain essential for maintaining engine performance and longevity.
E20 petrol policy is not only about the performance of the vehicle itself. Increased ethanol blending would help reduce India’s crude oil import bill, increase energy security, create more income for farmers with ethanol production and lower carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The initiative is part of India’s wider plan to develop cleaner and more sustainable mobility solutions.
At the same time, automobile manufacturers are developing new engine technologies that could be used to efficiently convert higher ethanol blends to meet increasingly stringent emission standards. Research and development is also going into calibrating fuel systems and materials for long-term sustainability with fuel specifications changing.
Sourav Joshi's experience shows that accurate information is central to technology transition. And while you may experience different things as a user based on different reasons, it is important that the official manufacturer guidance is the reference point for fuel compatibility and maintenance decisions.
Now the E20 problem is real ?
— Sonu Patel (@Vitiye_Capital) July 12, 2026
But Saurav Joshi biggest youtuber of India facing mileage problem due to E20
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WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THIS#SauravJoshipic.twitter.com/V900fksw8N
When India is moving towards cleaner fuels, collaboration between manufacturers, fuel companies, regulators and consumers will be crucial to move to higher ethanol blends. Mercedes-Benz India's advice reminds us that true vehicle ownership is based on manufacturer recommendations and technical specifications and that it is through verified information that we can evaluate the fuel performance.
