Improved cathode active materials for reduced temperature operation in single and dual chamber solid oxide fuel cells are provided. The cathode active materials comprise perovskites of the general form ABO.sub.3, where A is a cation with approximately a +2 charge, and B is a cation with approximately a +4 charge. These perovskite cathode materials exhibit substantially enhanced power generation at operation temperatures less than or equal to 600.degree. C.