E20 petrol debate: Mercedes-Benz says all BS VI petrol cars are fully compatible

Mercedes-Benz India reaffirmed that all its petrol BS VI vehicles are fully compatible with E20 petrol, issuing a customer advisory after a viral social media video reignited public debate over the impact of ethanol-blended fuel on vehicle performance and fuel efficiency.

The luxury carmaker said customer safety, vehicle reliability and performance remain its highest priorities, adding that all Mercedes-Benz petrol BS VI vehicles are materially compatible with E20 fuel and have been certified by the relevant authorities.

"All Mercedes-Benz petrol BS VI vehicles are materially compatible with E20 fuel and have been certified by the relevant authorities," the company said in the advisory. It also assured customers that its technical teams remain available to address any queries related to fuel compatibility and reiterated its commitment to sustainable mobility.

More from Business

Mercedes-Benz reiterates earlier stand

The latest advisory is in line with Mercedes-Benz India's long-standing position on ethanol-blended fuels.

Earlier, Managing Director and CEO Santosh Iyer said the company's newer petrol vehicles are fully compatible with E20 fuel, with some models, including the latest S-Class Hybrid, also capable of running on E25 petrol.

He had said Mercedes-Benz had not encountered any significant technical issues related to E20 fuel, although dealerships had received more customer queries amid growing public discussion over mileage, engine durability and fuel compatibility.

At the same time, the company has urged the government to adopt a phased approach before increasing ethanol blending beyond 20 per cent.

Mercedes-Benz has argued that while new-generation vehicles are engineered to operate on E20 petrol, India's large fleet of older vehicles would require adequate safeguards before the country transitions to higher ethanol blends such as E25.

The company has also recommended that multiple grades of petrol remain available at fuel stations during the transition period, allowing owners to choose fuel appropriate for their vehicles.

India's ethanol push

The Government of India has been promoting ethanol blending as part of its broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower carbon emissions and support domestic ethanol production.

India brought forward its target of achieving 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to the 2025-26 ethanol supply year, making E20 the standard fuel being rolled out across the country.

Automobile industry experts have consistently maintained that vehicles specifically designed and certified for E20 fuel are engineered to operate safely on the higher ethanol blend. They also note that ethanol contains less energy than conventional petrol, meaning some reduction in fuel efficiency is expected compared with pure petrol.

However, industry testing has not shown widespread engine damage in vehicles specifically designed for E20 fuel. Manufacturers continue to advise owners of older vehicles to follow their respective recommendations before using higher ethanol blends.