Fuel cell stack assemblies (100) have a positive end plate (200) and a negative end plate (300), The end plates (200, 300) can be formed from a central structural element (220, 320) with an insulating end plate cover (210, 310) and an insulating end plate manifold (230, 330). A plurality of cathode plates (150) and a plurality of fuel cell assemblies (250) can be arranged in a stack having an alternating pattern of cathode plates (150) and fuel cell assemblies (250), with the positive end plate (200) and the negative end plate (300) provided on either end of the stack of cathode plates and fuel cell assemblies.