Evaluating the Clarity for purchase

It does, but it is not the same as pocketing $7500 yourself. You can put that money to work to earn 5% (payback mortgage, student loan, etc.)

 

Yes, this is correct.
The dealer is supposed to pass the $7600 lease credit to you but some shady dealers will pocket that money in hopes the customer does not realize they are being taken for a ride...

For those ZEV states that get the $7600 incentive for leasing, the transparent dealer is the one that passes along the incentive from AHM to you - giving you an immediate credit off cap cost to reflect the lower lease payment (mine is $305 in So Cal). If you are lucky enough to be in north east state where you get $7600 + $3000 DLFC ZEV credit, your lease payments are around the $230 or lower monthly.

For those in states that are not eligible (Non ZEV) states, you should buy it or finance it to get the $7500 tax credit for next year.