The 2020 Honda Clarity FCV earns an EPA combined rating of 68 MPG, but it’s important to know what kind of vehicle achieves this. It’s not a plug-in hybrid or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). It’s a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV), which means it runs on compressed hydrogen. The hydrogen is then converted into electricity to power the motor.

City and highway performance

The EPA rates the Clarity FCV at 68 MPG in the city and 67 MPG on the highway. These numbers highlight one of the benefits of electric propulsion: consistency. Gasoline vehicles often see a significant drop in MPG at lower city speeds with frequent stops and starts, but the Clarity maintains almost the same efficiency in any driving. Regenerative braking is a big reason for this consistency because it captures energy during deceleration and returns it to the battery. Regenerative braking is more active and effective when slowing, so it maximizes the powertrain’s efficiency.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2020 Honda Clarity FCV at $772. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year using the national average price of hydrogen. Hydrogen prices can vary significantly depending on the location and station, and the limited availability of hydrogen fueling stations means that Clarity FCV ownership is mainly in California. California has programs to support hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Real-world expectations

The EPA estimates provide a benchmark, but real-world fuel economy for the Clarity FCV can change based on driving style, terrain, and weather. Expect reduced efficiency from aggressive acceleration, hard braking, and climbing steep hills. Extreme temperatures can also affect the fuel cell’s and battery’s efficiency.

Most drivers will likely see numbers close to the EPA estimates under normal driving, but driving efficiently will maximize the benefits. Assuming you don’t drive it like a sports car, the car handles most of the work of being efficient.

How it compares

Comparing the Clarity FCV to gasoline-powered cars isn’t useful because its buyers have different priorities. The best comparison is to other alternative fuel vehicles. The Toyota Mirai, another hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, achieves an EPA-estimated 67 MPG combined in its XLE trim. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) such as the Hyundai Kona Electric get about 120 MPGe combined. The major difference is that BEVs need to be plugged in to recharge. The Clarity FCV can be refueled with hydrogen in under 5 minutes, like a gasoline car.

As a reference, the Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid achieves around 54 MPG combined. It offers gasoline driving range and additional driving flexibility, but the Clarity FCV buyer wants zero-emission driving and fast refueling. They accept the limited infrastructure to get it.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency

Gentle acceleration is important. Like other electric vehicles, the Clarity FCV has instant torque, but don’t use all of it aggressively at every stoplight. Increase speed smoothly and gradually to save energy and travel farther on a tank of hydrogen.

Try to use regenerative braking. Anticipate traffic and coast when you can. This allows the regenerative braking to capture energy and slow the car without the brakes. This increases the vehicle’s range and reduces wear on brake parts. The system can be adjusted if the default setting doesn’t suit a driver.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires raise rolling resistance, which lowers fuel economy. Regularly check your tire pressure, and keep it at the pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s door.

Reduce accessory use. Air conditioning and heating can draw a lot of power. Save them to reduce the load on the system, and think about recirculating the air or pre-conditioning the cabin while plugged in (if possible).

Check THE CLARITY MPG across all years, and think about how these fuel-saving technologies might change in all Honda fuel economy data. The Clarity FCV is a commitment to a specific future. Its owners understand the hydrogen infrastructure’s current reality and embrace the potential of this clean fuel.