Variously called proton exchange membrane or polymer exchange membrane, the PEM fuel cell is the most commonly used fuel cell technology in vehicles because of a number of the attributes described below:
- highly adaptable to different uses and can be scaled to utility power production or scaled down for use in small portable devices like laptops, cell phones and ipods.
- relatively high power density - a high amount of electric power out in relation to its volume and weight - compared to other fuel cells.
- operates at relatively low temperatures around 80 degrees C (176 degrees F) and it can start operations from a cold start