The invention is an air pollution control apparatus for cleaning exhaust gases from motor vehicles using both electrostatic precipitation and a non-thermal plasma. The precipitator is especially useful in cleaning exhaust gases from diesel engines. The precipitator provides for easier cleaning in between uses, as well as a more efficient cleaning of exhaust gases. The air pollution control apparatus of the present invention is configured as two pass system whereas each pass is designed as multistage horizontal plate type electrostatic precipitator. The first pass applies a direct current, consistent voltage for particle collection through electrostatic precipitation. The second pass uses spiked voltage, non-thermal plasma generation for the production of free radicals to oxidize toxic gases, and with the addition of a diesel oxidation catalyst to transform harmful molecular compounds in the exhaust gas into safe gases.