Solid oxide fuel cells (SCFC) for mobile applications are developed and investigated at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Stuttgart. Therefore a light-weight stack design was developed in cooperation with the automotive industry (BMW/Munich, Elring-Klinger/Dettingen, Thyssen Krupp/Essen) and the Research Center Julich (FZJ).This concept is based on the application of stamped metal sheet bipolar plates, into which the SOFC cells are integrated by brazing technology. For the development and the investigation of the SCFC cells and short stacks, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is an important and useful characterization method. The paper concentrates on the investigation and on the electrochemical testing of the SOFC short stacks with sintered anode-supported cells (ASC). The short stacks were electrochemically characterized mainly by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, by current-voltage measurements and by long-term measurements. The cells and stacks were operated at different temperatures, varying fuel gas compositions, different fuel gas flow rates and at different electrical current loads. The influence of these operating conditions on the electrochemical performance of the short stacks is outlined. The nature of losses, e.g. ohmic and the polarization resistances of the electrodes were examined and determined by fitting of the impedance spectra to an equivalent circuit. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.