PEM fuel cell auxiliary power system and method for starting an internal combustion engine vehicle

An internal combustion engine vehicle includes a compact light weight PEM fuel cell auxiliary power system (2) which is used to provide electrical power for operating the vehicle starter (10) to start the vehicle, and for operating additional electrical equipment while the vehicle is running, or before the vehicle is running. A small light weight dry cell battery (4) is included in the vehicle for supplying startup power for the PEM fuel cell auxiliary power system. The conventional heavy and bulky twelve volt battery is not needed in the vehicle thereby eliminating the weight and size of the twelve volt battery from the vehicle. A bank of super capacitors (18) can be included in the vehicle which are operatively connected to the PEM fuel cell auxiliary power system and to the starter. The super capacitors can be charged by the PEM fuel cell auxiliary power system during operation of the vehicle, and can be activated to provide startup electrical power to the starter along with the PEM fuel cell auxiliary power system so as to start the vehicle in adverse ambient conditions, such as during subfreezing weather.