In this article, the exergy-based modular design is utilized to assess the overall exergy efficiency of the integrated methanol reforming fuel cell (a combination of on-board MeOH-to-H-2 processor and proton exchange membrane fuel cell) and improve the 3D modular layout of MeOH-to-H-2 processor. It is noted that the preheating system improvement can save installation space as well as increase the overall exergy efficiency. Finally, the 3D modular layout of the new integrated methanol reforming fuel cell (IMRFC) installed into the BMW vehicle chassis demonstrates that this IMRFC vehicle could become a feasible option as compared to the 2016 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.