After Manish Kashyap, Sourav Joshi Raises E20 Fuel Mileage Concerns in Mercedes GLC 300

The debate over E20 petrol is no longer limited to industry experts and automobile forums. It has now reached millions of viewers through some of Indi...

The debate over E20 petrol is no longer limited to industry experts and automobile forums. It has now reached millions of viewers through some of India's biggest content creators. After YouTuber Manish Kashyap questioned the sudden drop in fuel efficiency of his Toyota Innova Hycross, lifestyle vlogger Sourav Joshi has also shared similar concerns after refuelling his Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. Their experiences have once again put the spotlight on E20 fuel, real world mileage, and fuel quality across India.

Manish Kashyap's Toyota Innova Hycross Mileage Controversy

The discussion began when popular Bihar based YouTuber Manish Kashyap posted about the unexpectedly poor mileage of his Toyota Innova Hycross. According to him, the SUV delivered unusually low fuel efficiency after refuelling, leading him to question whether government mandated E20 petrol was responsible.

Toyota India later clarified that the issue was not related to E20 compatibility. The company stated that the vehicle was designed to operate on E20 petrol and suggested that the actual cause was contaminated or adulterated fuel rather than ethanol blending itself.

However, Manish Kashyap strongly disagreed with the explanation and responded with a remark that quickly went viral.

His statement reignited public discussion about fuel quality, fuel station standards, and whether consumers can easily identify contaminated petrol.

Sourav Joshi Reports Similar Mileage Drop in Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Before the debate had settled, popular lifestyle vlogger Sourav Joshi uploaded a video highlighting a similar concern with his Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV.

According to Joshi, the luxury SUV, which normally displayed a fuel efficiency of around 17 kmpl, showed a sharp decline soon after refuelling. Within about 48 hours, the digital instrument cluster indicated 9 kmpl. In a later update, the displayed mileage dropped further to nearly 5 kmpl.

The dramatic change left Joshi worried about possible engine damage and the cost of maintaining a premium SUV, especially while travelling away from major service centres.

He also mentioned that owning an electric Mercedes-Benz G Wagon gave him peace of mind because he did not have to rely on petrol stations for daily driving.

Mercedes-Benz India Responds

Mercedes-Benz India responded soon after the video gained attention.

The company clarified that all BS VI compliant petrol Mercedes-Benz models sold in India are certified to run on E20 petrol. According to the manufacturer, the vehicles are engineered with materials and fuel system components that are compatible with ethanol blended fuel.

Industry experts also point out that E20 petrol has a slightly lower energy density than regular petrol. As a result, drivers may notice a minor reduction in fuel economy of around 1.5 percent to 3 percent under normal conditions.

However, experts say a sudden 50 percent to 70 percent drop in mileage is highly unlikely to be caused by E20 alone. Such a large decline could indicate one or more of the following:

• Contaminated or adulterated fuel

• Faulty engine sensors

• Incorrect ECU calibration

• Prolonged idling or heavy traffic conditions

• Mechanical issues unrelated to the fuel itself

Is E20 Fuel Really Responsible?

At present, there is no confirmed evidence that E20 petrol alone can reduce fuel economy from 17 kmpl to 5 kmpl in a properly functioning BS VI vehicle.

Both Toyota and Mercedes-Benz maintain that their modern petrol vehicles are compatible with E20 fuel. At the same time, the back to back experiences shared by Manish Kashyap and Sourav Joshi have increased public concern about fuel quality, consistency at fuel stations, and the possibility of contaminated fuel entering the supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Sourav Joshi blame E20 fuel for the mileage drop?

Sourav Joshi expressed concern after noticing a sharp fall in his Mercedes-Benz GLC 300's displayed mileage following refuelling. However, neither Mercedes-Benz nor any independent investigation has confirmed that E20 petrol was the direct cause.

What did Mercedes-Benz India say?

Mercedes-Benz India stated that all its BS VI compliant petrol vehicles sold in India are fully compatible with E20 fuel and meet the required certification standards.

What did Toyota say about Manish Kashyap's Innova Hycross?

Toyota said the reported mileage issue was caused by contaminated or adulterated fuel and not by E20 petrol compatibility.

How much does E20 petrol normally affect mileage?

Automotive experts estimate that E20 petrol may reduce fuel efficiency by around 1.5 percent to 3 percent because ethanol contains less energy than pure petrol.

Can contaminated fuel damage a car?

Yes. Poor quality or contaminated fuel can affect engine performance, reduce fuel efficiency, trigger warning lights, and in severe cases, damage fuel system components. If contaminated fuel is suspected, the vehicle should be inspected by an authorised service centre.