NOVELTY - The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte (2), a cathode (3), and anode components electrically connected in series. The anode components comprise an anode, an anode gas diffusion layer, a selectively conducting component, and a carbon sublayer (10) in contact with a side of the anode opposite to the solid polymer electrolyte. The selectively conducting component comprises a selectively conducting material. The selectively conducting material comprises a noble metal deposited on a metal oxide.    USE - The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is useful in a vehicle comprising a traction power supply (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The high energy-efficient solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell has improved voltage reversal tolerance, performance and startup/shutdown durability.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte (2), a cathode (3), and anode components electrically connected in series. The anode components comprise an anode, an anode gas diffusion layer, a selectively conducting component, and a carbon sublayer (10) in contact with a side of the anode opposite to the solid polymer electrolyte. The selectively conducting component comprises a selectively conducting material. An electrical resistance of the selectively conducting component in the presence of hydrogen is more than 1000 times lower than an electrical resistance in the presence of air. The selectively conducting material and carbon sublayer are selected such that a fuel cell voltage is greater than 0.5 V when operating at 1.5 A/cm2. The selectively conducting material comprises a noble metal deposited on a metal oxide. The selectively conducting component is incorporated as a layer on a side of the anode gas diffusion layer adjacent to the carbon sublayer, and has a thickness 10-15 mu m. The carbon sublayer has a thickness of 3-10 mu m. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a method for increasing the tolerance of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell to voltage reversal; and    (2) a fuel cell stack.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a schematic exploded view of components making up a unit cell for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack.    Solid polymer electrolyte (2)    Cathode (3)    Cathode flow field plate (8)    Anode flow field plate (9)    Carbon sublayer. (10)