NOVELTY - A hybrid electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly (30) comprises: a metallic cathode plate (102) having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance; a polymeric composite anode plate (104) adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, having opposed surfaces; and a low contact resistance coating (130) located on at least one of the surfaces, having a second contact resistance, less than the first contact resistance.    USE - As a hybrid electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, useful in fuel cells (claimed) for separating stacked membrane electrode assembly (MEA).    ADVANTAGE - The electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate comprises a hybrid plate assembly comprising metallic cathode plate and polymeric composite anode plate, and has excellent cost benefits and weight and volumetric power density, along with corrosion resistance; as compared to the prior art entirely metallic or polymeric composite plates, having the disadvantages of high cost and poor mechanical strength, respectively. The use of the polymeric composite material in the manufacture of the anode plate results in excellent corrosion resistance on the anode side of the membrane, provides the assembly with significantly less material cost than conventional entirely metallic plate assemblies, and aids in preventing coolant leakage; while still benefits from the properties of metallic material in the cathode plate. Further, the use of a relatively thick polymeric composite plate results in decreased processing cost from a lower scrap rate. The use of the relatively thin metallic cathode plate with the polymeric composite anode plate provides the separator plate assembly with a relatively high weight and volumetric power density, while still benefits from the properties of polymeric composite material. The low resistance coating on at least one of the surfaces of the anode and cathode provides the plate assembly having the bond line disposed between the metallic cathode plate and the polymeric composite anode plate, having a resistance of (less than 3, preferably 1.8 - 2) mohm-cm2.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a fuel cell comprising: a first electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprising: a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, having at least one of the surfaces coated with a coating having a second contact resistance, less than the first contact resistance; and a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent the metallic cathode plate, a second electrically conductive fluid distributing separator plate assembly, and a membrane electrode assembly separating the first and second assemblies, and comprising an electrolyte membrane, having a first side and a second side, with an anode adjacent to the first side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode adjacent to the second side of the electrolyte membrane.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a fuel cell stack containing two fuel cells.    plate assembly (30)    channels (35, 37)    cathode plate (102)    composite anode plate (104)    flow channels (110, 112)    low contact resistance coating. (130)