A vehicle propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine configured to output a primary output torque and at least one fuel injector arranged to supply fuel to a combustion chamber of the engine. The propulsion system also includes at least one exhaust aftertreatment device to capture combustion byproducts within an exhaust flow. The propulsion system also includes an electric machine coupled to the engine to exchange torque. A controller is programmed to supply a baseline fuel injection corresponding to a first engine output to satisfy a driver torque demand and to periodically supplement the baseline target fuel injection quantity to increase engine output torque to overshoot the first engine output thereby increasing combustion byproducts to regenerate the at least one exhaust aftertreatment device. The controller is also programmed to apply a resistive torque from the electric machine such that an overall propulsion system torque remains at the driver torque demand.