We have 2 clarity fuel cell (one approaching lease return, another one has 2 more years left), I am just sharing our humble opinion on H2 vehicles.
If I can conclude our H2 experience for the last 3 years in one simple term, it would definitely be “not yet”
We are about 5 miles away from Diamond Bar station, supposedly we should be consider the ideal H2 users , but in reality, it’s much more complicated.
Pros:
- You really get free gas , with some inconvenience (or unbearable for some, I will explain later)
- All Nexo, Clarity FCV, new or old gen Mirai are pretty much fully loaded top Trims from the corresponding brand., features like HUD , Leather Seat, Vent Seat(optional on some brand), 360 camera (nexo and Mirai top Trim), ACC , Premium Audio (Krell for Nexo, JBL for Mirai, Honda’s premium audio for Clarity)
- Very good dollar per mile ratio , especially for low incomers, you can get this FCV pretty much for free (CVAP + CVRP+ Heavy subsidized manufacture rebates)
- Really quiet and comfortable ride
- Zero emission on the road (however most of the H2 still produces based on natural gas)
- Clarity gives 20k miles per year , if you drives a lot (and don’t mind the waiting, anxiety and frustrations on H2 stations, it’s absolutely a deal breaker for some)
- HOV sticker and other EV related benefits
- 21 days free car rental (not your budget cars, but full size SUV like Ford Explorers)
Now lets get to the ugly parts of relying on H2 to be your primary transportation
-
Station , station , station , station – if someone like me (5 miles away from the H2 station) is having this issue, please be extra cautious on this.
a. stations will be down frequently (only question is for how long, DB station was down for almost 2 weeks due to power issues)
b. Due to the high demand of H2 , you will NEVER fill your tank 100% (80 to 90 percent is the most common you will get)
c. the wait time can be 40 mins to 1 hour long depends on the situation
d. If you have range anxiety on EVs, try H2 …
e. the H2 price keeps going up (not a big deal of a leased car, but for someone that’s going to own the car, it’s roughly 5x more the price than a Hybrid car) -
Fuel efficiency
My Clarity is listed at 360 miles , but the absolutely maximum I’ve ever achieved was roughly around 260 miles , any elevation of climate change would simply kill the efficiency radically. If you are in colder area with lots of elevation , please think again (elevation + climate + tank will never be full) , you are look at minimum of 30% reeducation from your EPA estimates. -
Hidden cost
a. The maintenance is around $250 every 10k mile (Toyota and Hyundai gives first 3 years or 36000 maintenance for free) if you are buying them expect paying $250+ for future maintenance
b. Registration is around $1000 per year (not a joke, CA uses MSRP value to calculate your vehicle’s registration fees), most of the FCV are in the 50s or 60s range , you are going to pay for that amount.
c. Insurance premium is roughly 30 more than a similar equipped hybrid car (Clarity fuel cell costs more than my BMW M2 as a reference)
- Others
Ultra slow performance (usually in the 8s to 9s in term of 0 - 60MPH), high probability of weeks (sometimes month long) repairs (our first FCV was sitting in shop for 2 months (waiting for parts to be shipped)
Consider Honda going to crush all the lease return FCVs (no plan for another fuel cell vehicles anytime soon) , I would say it’s a failed experiments for them as of today (Toyota is still in the game) .
We got our first FCV 3 years ago, for the first 12 month , it was actually a pretty good experience (that’s why we got the 2nd FCV 1 year later), things are going down hills from there (consistent station downs, ultra long wait time , range anxiety due to the unpredictability of H2 station…) we are regret to say getting 2nd H2 vehicle was a mistake for us so far 
in conclusion, if you don’t mind to have consistent wait or station downs (weeks in some occasions) and having all the time and patience in the world for you next re-fuels. FCV cars are probably the best you can get in term of Per mile costs. However, if you are somebody like myself who needs a reliable transportation for work (I’m an IT consultant, who travels all over the places) , simply get a EV or Hybrid . Lack of H2 will make your life miserable frequently (no jokes).
My 2 cents.
Jason