NOVELTY - The electrochemical cell comprises a bipolar plate (122, 124) including a metal substrate defining a flow channel (126, 128), and a low stiffness gas diffusion layer that is disposed next to the bipolar plate and has a stiffness value of less than or equal to 2.0 GPa in Young's modulus. The flow channel has a channel span of 0.7-0.9 millimeter and a channel depth of 0.3-0.5 millimeters, and includes first and second flow channels. The metal substrate includes a stainless steel material having carbon (greater than 0.03 wt.%), nickel (less than 24.0 wt.%), and/or chromium (less than 28.0 wt.%).    USE - Used as an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell (claimed), a non-rechargeable primary cell and a rechargeable secondary cell.    ADVANTAGE - The electrochemical cell can be economically manufactured with improved corrosion resistance, high performance and electrical conductivity and long service life.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The electrochemical cell comprises a bipolar plate (122, 124) including a metal substrate defining a flow channel (126, 128), and a low stiffness gas diffusion layer that is disposed next to the bipolar plate and has a stiffness value of less than or equal to 2.0 GPa in Young's modulus. The flow channel has a channel span of 0.7-0.9 millimeter and a channel depth of 0.3-0.5 millimeters, and includes first and second flow channels. The metal substrate includes a stainless steel material having carbon (greater than 0.03 wt.%), nickel (less than 24.0 wt.%), and/or chromium (less than 28.0 wt.%), 301 stainless steel, 302 stainless steel, 304 stainless steel, 321 stainless steel and/or 347 stainless steel, and a coating disposed on one or two sides of the metal substrate. The stainless steel material is less precious than 316L stainless steel. One of the flow channels span has 0.7-0.9 millimeters, and other of the flow channels has a channel depth of 0.3-0.5 millimeters. The coating includes gold with 8-12 nanometers in thickness of the coating.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic perspective view of a fuel cell.    Bipolar plates (122, 124)    Flow channels (126, 128)    First electrode (130)    Second electrode (132)    Ionic exchange membrane. (134)