Electrochemical measurements on the anodic oxidation of hydrogen on platinized boron carbide and WO//3 supports reveal that the latter is an ″active″ support, participating directly in the over-all electrode reaction. In contrast, boron carbide is an ″inert″ support and takes no part in the electrode reaction. This work and previous investigations on the composition of the WO//3, confirm that the electrode reaction proceeds by the formation and oxidation of hydrogen tungsten bronzes. In this way the effective reaction zone area is extended onto the support, increasing the net electrode current.