In this paper, operation algorithms are evaluated for a fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle (FCHEV). Power assist, load leveling and equivalent fuel algorithm are proposed and implemented in the FCHEV performance simulator. It is found from the simulation results that the load leveling algorithm shows poor fuel economy due to the system charge and discharge efficiency. In the power assist and equivalent fuel algorithm, the fuel cell stack is operated in a relatively better efficiency region owing to the battery power assist, which provides the improved fuel economy.