Mercedes-Benz Says All India Vehicles Now E25-Compatible

Mercedes-Benz India said all the vehicles it sells in the country are now compatible with E25 ethanol-blended petrol, becoming one of the early luxury carmakers to prepare its entire India portfolio for a higher ethanol blend as the government pushes cleaner fuels.

The announcement comes as government and OMCs prepare for a gradual increase in ethanol blending beyond the current E20 level. Mercedes-Benz India had recently raised concerns over fuel adulteration in E20 petrol, saying inconsistent fuel quality could affect vehicle performance and highlighting the need for stricter quality control.

Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Santosh Iyer said the company had upgraded its portfolio in anticipation of future fuel regulations.

"I am happy to share with all of you that today, every Mercedes-Benz sold in India is E25 compatible. We transitioned to E20 to see a different regulatory landscape, and therefore, future of fuel and emissions, and all our cars, including the one that we will launch today, would be E25 compatible," Iyer said, while launching the AMG E53 plug-in hybrid.

Mercedes-Benz said the transition to E25 compatibility is part of its broader approach to future fuel and emission requirements while maintaining a wide range of powertrain options for Indian luxury car buyers.

The German automaker on Thursday launched the 2026 AMG E 53 Performance Edition at Rs 1.45 crore, ex-showroom. This will be the country's first electrified AMG E-Class.

He said this reflects Mercedes-Benz's strategy of offering customers multiple powertrain choices rather than favouring a single technology.

"So, clearly, this is our commitment to responsible luxury, across powertrains, we are agnostic, and we will continue to offer this choice to our customers," Iyer said.

Mercedes-Benz said customer demand in India continues to be split across conventional internal combustion engine models and electrified vehicles, reinforcing its decision to offer a mix of technologies.

"We strongly believe that our customers should never be forced into a particular technology. Instead, they should have the freedom to choose the powertrain that best suits their lifestyle and digital needs. And it is also very clear that this should not be driven by policy or agreement, it should be driven by what the customer would like to own," Iyer said.

He added that the company would continue offering internal combustion engines, battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids under a common product strategy.

"And that's why we bring together different type of range of internal propulsion engines, factory electric cars, turbine hybrids, all under our single platform. Different technologies, one uncompromising Mercedes-Benz experience," Iyer said.