Toluene is chosen as a model tar compound and destroyed by a rotating gliding arc (RGA) discharge in simulated producer gas. A maximum toluene destruction efficiency of 95.6% is achieved. Meanwhile, the concentration of the useful components of synthesis gas (CO and H-2) is significantly enhanced compared to the initial producer gas, indicating that the RGA plasma has great potential for further and simultaneous application in tar cracking and producer gas upgrading.