The reduction and prevention of degradation effects of proton exchange membrane fuel cells calls for precise on-line monitoring and control tools such as coupled virtual observers. To present significant progress in the area of computationally fast electrochemical models used in observer applications, this paper provides the derivation of a zero-dimensional thermodynamically consistent electrochemical model for proton exchange membrane fuel cells performance modelling and control. The model is further extended to accommodate the transport of gaseous species along the channel and through gas diffusion layer, yielding a quasi-one-dimensional electrochemical model. In addition, the presented work features the determination of an optimal set of calibration parameters proposed and based on mathematical and physical rationale, which is further supported with parameter sensitivity analysis. Multiple validation steps against polarisation curves at different operational points confirm the capability of the newly developed model to replicate experimental data. Furthermore, investigation in models generalisation capabilities shows that the model exhibits very good extrapolation capabilities for operation points outside the calibrated variation space of parameters. Additionally, the newly developed model can be successfully parametrised with little effort on a small calibration data set. These features position the proposed modelling framework as a beyond state-of-the-art model for virtual observers. •Advanced 0D thermodynamically consistent electrochemical model of PEMFC is derived.•Identifiability of calibration parameters was proven by sensitivity analysis.•Ease of parametrisation on the small calibration data is achieved.•Model exhibit good extrapolation capabilities beyond calibrated operational area.•Newly derived model is applicable in on-line monitoring and control applications.