Popular YouTuber Sourav Joshi has issued a public apology after earlier claiming that E20 petrol was responsible for the poor fuel efficiency of his Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The clarification came after a detailed inspection at an authorised service centre concluded that the drop in mileage was caused by a technical fault in the vehicle's engine, not by the fuel itself.
The controversy began when Joshi shared in a vlog that his luxury SUV's mileage had fallen sharply after using E20 petrol. The statement quickly gained attention on social media, with many users questioning whether the higher ethanol-blended fuel was affecting vehicle performance.
Following the widespread discussion, the vehicle was examined at an authorised Mercedes-Benz service centre. According to the findings, engineers detected a mechanical issue in the engine, which was responsible for the reduced fuel efficiency.
After receiving the service report, Sourav Joshi acknowledged that his earlier assumption was incorrect. He publicly apologised for linking the mileage issue to E20 petrol without having complete technical information and clarified that the problem was related to the vehicle's engine rather than the fuel.
The incident has reignited discussion about E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. The fuel has been introduced in India as part of the government's plan to reduce crude oil imports, lower carbon emissions and increase the use of domestically produced biofuels.
Automobile experts note that vehicles specifically designed or certified for E20 fuel are generally capable of operating on it without major issues. However, they also emphasise that factors such as engine condition, driving style, tyre pressure, maintenance history, traffic conditions and mechanical faults can all influence a vehicle's fuel economy.
Experts advise vehicle owners to consult the manufacturer's recommendations before using higher ethanol-blended fuels, particularly if driving older models that may not be designed for E20 compatibility.
The episode also highlights the importance of obtaining a proper technical diagnosis before attributing vehicle problems to fuel quality. Modern vehicles rely on complex electronic systems, and issues such as faulty sensors, engine calibration problems or mechanical defects can significantly affect mileage.
Following Joshi's clarification, many social media users appreciated his decision to acknowledge the mistake publicly, while automotive experts used the opportunity to encourage drivers to rely on professional inspections when diagnosing vehicle performance issues.
The case serves as a reminder that reduced fuel efficiency is not always caused by the fuel itself, and a thorough inspection by qualified technicians is essential to identify the actual cause of any mechanical problem before drawing conclusions.