Sourav Joshi Slams E20 Petrol After Mercedes Mileage Drops to 5 kmpl

India's most-followed daily vlogger, Sourav Joshi, has sparked a massive online debate after publicly slamming ethanol-blended E20 petrol for a drastic drop in the fuel efficiency of his luxury SUV.

Operating out of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, the content creator who boasts over 41 million subscribers shared live dashboard metrics from his Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC to voice his frustration. Joshi claimed that the vehicle's fuel efficiency plummeted catastrophically in a span of just 48 hours.

"Down to 5 km/l"

In a vlog titled Race With Brothers. Kon Jeetega? Joshi pointed directly to his dashboard to show the unfolding efficiency crisis.

"Yesterday I showed you our car's mileage had gone from 17 straight down to nine," Joshi told his viewers. "And do you know what it has become today? Today it has reached five—look at this, it's showing a mileage of five."

His wife and fellow creator, Avantika Bhatt, chimed in with equal frustration, noting the massive financial investment they had made in the vehicle. Joshi further asserted that a full tank of petrol, which historically yielded a driving range of roughly 800 kilometres, now estimates a range of just 480 kilometres after refuelling.

The vlogger expressed serious anxiety over potential mechanical failure, stating he is now "scared of refilling petrol". He noted that running a premium vehicle outside a major metropolitan hub adds severe logistical strain: "It is a Mercedes after all. I'll have to send it to Delhi if a problem arises. Not only is petrol expensive, but if it breaks down, the repair costs are huge."

Government Rejects E20 Engine Concerns

Joshi's viral complaint highlights a growing undercurrent of anxiety among car owners regarding fuel quality, but union ministries have pushed back aggressively against claims of widespread vehicle damage.

Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Nitin Gadkari have firmly defended the alternative fuel policy, dismissing viral social media panic as a "false narrative" lacking concrete proof. Officials maintain that E20 petrol is a thoroughly tested, scientifically validated blend essential for reducing crude oil imports and carbon emissions. While the Ministry of Road Transport acknowledges that some older engines might experience a minor 3% to 5% drop in fuel economy due to the inherent properties of the blend, they maintain that the widespread engine failures claimed online are highly exaggerated.