New and simple methodology has been developed to synthesize high surface area electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cell. PtMCo/C (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu) ternary alloys have been synthesized in atomic ratio of 6:3:1 by borohydride reduction in ethylene glycol and inert atmosphere under vigorous stirring condition. Our experimental pathway produced high surface area ternary alloys of platinum with first row transition metals such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. XRD results reveal the crystalline and alloyed nature of particles. TEM images highlight the uniform distribution and nano scale of particles supported on VX carbon. The atomic composition was analyzed by SEM - EDAX and ICP-OES methods. Electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry, RDE and RRDE techniques. Of all the above catalysts, PtFeCo/C electrocatalyst has the highest electrochemical surface area of 156.2 m(2) g(-1) of Pt. PtFeCo/C showed the best enhancement in ORR performance and durability also. The real time performance of the electrocatalysts in H-2/O-2 PEM single cell polarization study revealed that PtMCo/C (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu) ternary alloys show performance higher than commercial Pt/C. Among them, PtFeCo/C peaks in performance with a power density of 841 mW cm(-2). (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.