Most people who use their
Most people who use their Clarity on battery-only mode get ~ 60 miles per charge in warm weather and below freeway speeds. The Clarity also only needs a regular 120v line to charge, altho it can use a type-2 240v line. Even at 120v, if you plugged in at work, your commutes would then all be gas-free.
Re the price tag - please know that the Clarity qualifies for the full $7500 Federal EV rebate, as well as full state and local rebates (Check your electric company). California is quite generous here IIRC, so the Clarity should actually have a lower final list price than the other hybrids you are considering.
I have a Clarity, and even in our freezing Vermont winters and actual mountains not hills, we do get 42 mpg. Upstate summer freeway drive to Montreal we got over 50 mpg gas-only. Fill ups come at restroom-needed intervals, and only take a second - 5 or 6 gallons going in takes no time .
Yes - I believe my Clarity is ugly on the outside. But I love it. Test drive one, you will fall in love too, perhaps. :)