Long-term operation of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell without external humidification

•PEMFC electrodes with 0.2mgPtcm−2 Pt loading prepared by electrospraying.•Long term testing of Pt/C catalysts with Pt concentration in the range 10–60wt%•MEAs tested for 1000h in dry mode (dry H2/dry air) with low performance loss, ≤3%•Steady voltages of 515–611mV reached at 0.2Acm−2, 40°C and ambient pressure.•Durability test (5000h) at dry operation with a performance loss of 20% at 3800h.