‘SUV had engine problem’: Uttarakhand vlogger Sourav Joshi backtracks on E20 petrol mileage claim after Mercedes-Benz response | Dehradun News

In one of his videos, Sourav Joshi complained about the mileage of his Mercedes after switching to E20 fuel.

DEHRADUN: Popular YouTuber Sourav Joshi has issued a clarification after previously claiming in a vlog that his Mercedes-Benz SUV’s mileage dropped sharply after he switched to E20 petrol.In a new vlog, Joshi said the reduced fuel efficiency was actually caused by an engine issue, revising his earlier claim that had linked the problem to E20 fuel.The clarification came after Mercedes-Benz India stated that all its BS VI petrol vehicles are fully compatible with E20 fuel and said the fuel does not cause the performance issues alleged in the vlog.The controversy began with a vlog uploaded on July 12 titled “Race With Brothers, Kon Jeetega?” , in which Sourav Joshi complained that his SUV’s fuel efficiency and performance had deteriorated after using E20 petrol.Showing the instrument cluster of his vehicle, Joshi claimed the SUV’s mileage had fallen from around 17kmpl to 9kmpl. In a follow-up video, he said it had further dropped to 5 kmpl.“I filled the tank yesterday, but now it is already showing almost half empty,” he said in the vlog while expressing concern over the vehicle’s fuel consumption.Joshi also claimed the vehicle’s speed had been affected and said he was hesitant to refill the fuel tank, fearing it could cause further damage to the engine.He added that the experience had reinforced his decision to purchase an all-electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.However, Joshi later trimmed the portion of the vlog referring to E20 petrol and posted a clarification on X.“We visited the Mercedes service center, and they found that there was an issue with the engine, which was causing the low mileage. I apologize for the misunderstanding regarding E20 petrol. My intention was never to spread incorrect information or hurt anyone’s sentiments. I have trimmed that part accordingly,” he wrote.

Mercedes-Benz responds

Reacting to the controversy, Mercedes-Benz India issued a statement on X, reiterating that its petrol vehicles are fully compatible with E20 fuel.“At Mercedes-Benz, customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance are of paramount importance to us. All Mercedes-Benz petrol BS VI vehicles are materially compatible with E20 fuel and certified accordingly by relevant authorities.”“We are happy to support customers for any technical queries. Mercedes-Benz remains committed to sustainable mobility,” the company said.

Debate shifts to mileage

While Mercedes-Benz clarified its vehicles’ compatibility with E20 fuel, several social media users questioned whether ethanol-blended petrol affects fuel economy.One user wrote, “Saying compatible is very broad. Will you comment on mileage please?”Another commented, “The real question was does fuel economy drop? You haven’t responded to that query.”Others questioned whether the company would specifically address claims regarding mileage rather than compatibility with the fuel.

Viewers troll, question YouTuber

Joshi’s clarification also triggered mixed reactions from viewers, with some accusing him of making unverified claims for views, while others continued asking about the vehicle’s mileage.“Bhai darr gaya… he trimmed that petrol part,” one user commented.Another wrote, “Didn’t expect this from Sourav Joshi. Trending topic hai aur views ke chakkar mein kuch bhi bol doge bina soche samjhe.”Some users also questioned the original mileage claim itself, with one remarking, “Mercedes that too petrol was giving 17 kmpl? You must have maruti 800 engine inside it”

Who is Sourav Joshi?

Sourav Joshi is one of India’s most-followed YouTubers, with more than 41 million subscribers on his vlog channel.A native of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, he began his YouTube journey in 2015 with Sourav Joshi Arts, where he uploaded pencil sketch tutorials.He rose to prominence after launching Sourav Joshi Vlogs in 2019 and gained massive popularity during the Covid-19 lockdown by posting daily vlogs.

His content primarily revolves around family life, travel, lifestyle and everyday experiences, often featuring his younger brothers Sahil and Piyush.