Abstract A new strategy based on a real-time switching of the fueling regulators’ inputs is proposed in this paper to achieve better fuel saving for the fuel cell systems. The performance of the proposed strategy is compared with two basic strategies that operate in full loading range. In fact, by splitting the operating range in two ranges, where each basic strategy operates best, the proposed strategy mixes the benefits of these two strategies. The switching threshold between the loading ranges is optimally set using the sensitivity analysis. The fuel savings for all strategies analyzed in this study are compared to those obtained using the static feed-forward strategy for fueling regulators. The load-following mode for fueling regulators is implemented based on switching rule of the basic strategies, comparing the load demand with the aforementioned switching threshold. The load-based control provides huge advantages regarding battery size and operation in charge-sustained mode (which increases its lifetime). The best fuel saving can be obtained in real-time based on search flexibility on the optimization surface (with two variables). Compared with the best basic strategy, the fuel saving is 1.63 and 2.07 – times higher for a pulsed load and stair load, respectively. Also, compared with the total fuel consumption of the static feed-forward strategy, the fuel saving is 25.87% and 13.72% for the aforementioned load profiles. The obtained results are good and can motivate the further research in order to test and validate this strategy for fuel cell vehicles.