- Sourav Joshi criticized ethanol-blended E20 petrol, stating that his vehicle's mileage has dropped from 17 kmpl to 5 kmpl within just 48 hours.
- Joshi expressed concern over the performance of his car, stating, “This is what has happened because of ethanol”.
- He lamented the high costs associated with his vehicle, saying, “We spent so much money on this car!”
- Joshi expressed anxiety about refueling, stating, “Nowadays I'm so scared of refilling petrol”.
- He noted that if his car breaks down, the repair costs would be significant, saying, “Not only is petrol expensive, but if it breaks down, the repair costs are huge”.
- Concerns have been raised about fuel adulteration under the guise of E20, with reports of increased incidents from customers and dealerships.
- Experts suggest that during the transition to E20, it would be ideal to offer multiple fuel grades to give owners of older vehicles the option to choose.
- Officials have stated that there is no evidence of cars facing issues due to E20 petrol, claiming that reports circulating on social media are part of a false narrative.
- While older vehicles might see a 3-5% reduction in fuel economy due to the blend's properties, E20 is considered a thoroughly tested and safe alternative.
- The lower calorific value of ethanol is said to marginally impact fuel economy under certain conditions.
Sourav Joshi, a prominent vlogger from Haldwani, Uttarakhand, has raised alarms over the performance of ethanol-blended E20 petrol, claiming his vehicle's mileage has plummeted dramatically.12346
“Yesterday I showed you our car's mileage had gone from 17 straight down to nine,” he stated, adding that it has now dropped to 5 km/l within just 48 hours.
Joshi expressed his concerns about the potential for vehicle breakdowns, stating, “I don't know when this car will break down... Nowadays I'm so scared of refilling petrol,” highlighting the anxiety among consumers regarding the new fuel blend.910
The vlogger, who drives a Mercedes, noted the high costs associated with repairs, saying, “Not only is petrol expensive, but if it breaks down, the repair costs are huge,” and lamented, “We spent so much money on this car!”5
In response to Joshi's claims, industry experts have pointed out that “we have seen increased fuel adulteration happening under the garb of E20,” suggesting that the issues may stem from improper fuel quality rather than the blend itself.11
They argue that while older vehicles might experience a 3-5% reduction in fuel economy, E20 is a “thoroughly tested, safe, and scientifically validated alternative.”13
The debate continues as consumers seek clarity on the implications of E20 on vehicle performance and fuel efficiency.
“Sourav Joshi reported his Mercedes' mileage dropping from 17 to 5 kmpl in just two days after using E20 petrol, while other drivers have expressed similar fears. However, government officials dismissed the claims as a 'false narrative,' stating E20 is safe and only reduces older vehicles' fuel economy by 3-5%.”
