A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes a membrane, a cathode catalyst layer, a cathode co-catalyst layer including a hydrogen reservoir, an anode catalyst layer, and an anode co-catalyst layer including a hydrogen reservoir. The anode co-catalyst layer and the cathode co-catalyst layer cap a cathode potential at lower than 1.5V and an anode potential at lower than 1.0V. The anode co-catalyst layer and the cathode co-catalyst layer can include a platinum doped rare earth oxide, such as platinum doped cerium oxide.