A system and method are provided for controlling regeneration of exhaust gas aftertreatment components coupled to an internal combustion engine. For example, the particulate load of a particulate filter is monitored and a road speed of the vehicle is determined. If the particulate load is greater than a particulate load threshold and the road speed is greater than a road speed threshold, regeneration of the particulate filter is initiated. As another example, the sulfur oxide load (SOx) of a NOx catalyst is also monitored, and if the SOx load is greater than a SOx threshold while the particulate filter is being regenerated, regeneration of the particulate filter is terminated and SOx regeneration of the NOx catalyst is initiated.