A sustainability assessment regarding the manufacturing process and the use of a new
proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), specially designed for portable hydrogen applications,
is presented. The initial fuel cell prototype has been configured by taking into account exclusively
technical issues. However, a life cycle analysis considering environmental and socioeconomic
impacts is crucial to improve the model to develop a more sustainable product. From the environmental
perspective, the durability of the system and its efficiency are key elements required to decrease
the potential overall impacts. High electricity consumption for manufacturing requires a
commitment to the use of renewable energies, due to the high current value of the projected impact
of climate change (42.5 tonnes of CO₂ eq). From the socioeconomic point of view, the dependence of
imported components required for the synthesis of some materials displaces the effects of value
added and employment in Spain, potentially concentrating the largest impact on countries such as
Singapore, Japan and the UK, whereas the cell assembly would have a greater benefit for the country
of fabrication. These results provide a basis for new research strategies since they can be considered
standard values for improving future upgrades of the fuel cell in terms of sustainability.