We have studied the effect of pulsed plasma discharges on gas mixtures simulating diesel engine exhaust by modeling and by experiment. Our modeling results have shown that the pulsed plasma can convert NO{sub x} to N{sub 2} using the nitrogen itself as a reductant. However, this process is energetically unfavorable for the plasma regime of our measurements. In our experiments we found that addition of hydrocarbons improves substantially the energy efficiency of pulsed plasma NO{sub x} reduction. Real exhaust gas contains some gaseous hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide that may prove sufficient for improving the energy efficiency of the ``right`` pulsed plasma reduction process.

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