A multiple pseudocriteria and fuzzy outranking relations were used to demonstrate a new approach for the material selection of the bipolar plate of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). By introducing a decision matrix, the revised Simos method is used to define a set of weighting factors and to perform the ranking stability analysis. A list of all possible choices from the best to the worst is then obtained using the ELECTRE III method (Elimination and Choice Translating Reality III) by taking into account all materials selection criteria, including the cost criterion. Finally, for a given case study, similarities and differences observed between the results of the proposed approach and those of earlier works are discussed. It was concluded that this approach can be used to identify an effective material for bipolar plate application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.