Fuel cells and fuel cell systems that include at least one non-aqueous electrolyte. Fuel cells according to the present disclosure may include an anode region that is adapted to receive an anode feed stream containing chemically bound hydrogen and which liberates protons at an anode of the fuel cell, a cathode region that is adapted to receive a stream containing oxygen, and an electrolytic barrier that separates the anode and cathode regions and which contains a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte is preferably acidic or basic. The electrolyte may have an acid ionization constant (K.sub.a) greater than 5.times.10.sup.-6 at 25.degree. C. if the non-aqueous electrolyte is an acid and a base ionization constant (K.sub.b) greater than 5.times.10.sup.-6 at 25.degree. C. if the non-aqueous electrolyte is a base. The fuel cell has an operating temperature of less than 300.degree. C., and may operate at temperatures above, at, and below 100.degree. C.