Development of PEMFC Applications in Transportation

College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

As a promising power technology for low-carbon transportation, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have garnered increasing attention owing to their high energy conversion efficiency, zero emissions, and rapid refueling capabilities. However, the large-scale deployment of PEMFCs in transportation systems is still constrained by high manufacturing costs, insufficient durability, and an underdeveloped hydrogen infrastructure. This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress of PEMFC applications in land, maritime, and aerospace transportation sectors. Special emphasis is placed on the performance improvement requirements under different operating scenarios and the corresponding technical strategies, including catalyst interface engineering, system-level optimization, corrosion resistance design for marine environments, and lightweight structural design for aviation applications. The current technical and economic challenges hindering the commercialization of PEMFCs are analyzed in depth, and the future development trends are discussed from the perspectives of material innovation, system integration, and industrial ecosystem coordination. This work highlights the significance of scenario-driven design and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing PEMFC technology.