The key challenges to quantitative insight into fuel–air plasma kinetics, as well as plasma-assisted ignition and flameholding, are identified and assessed based on the results of recent experimental and kinetic modeling studies. Experimental and modeling approaches to address these critical issues are discussed. The results have major implications for the fundamental understanding of pulsed electric discharge dynamics, molecular energy transfer in reacting flows, plasma chemical reactions, and development of low-temperature plasma-assisted combustion technologies.