The fuel conversion performance of two gliding arc plasma reformers is investigated with the goal of syn-gas production on-board vehicles. In both systems, n-tetradecane (C(14)H(30)) fuel was reformed with plasma under partial oxidation conditions in the absence of metal catalysts and steam. A comparison of the performance of each device is made with regard to the hydrogen yield and energy conversion efficiency. The results show that gliding arc systems are capable of reforming heavy hydrocarbon fuels with high conversion efficiency and are an important piece of technology for on-board vehicular reforming systems that should be further developed and optimized. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.