Heating exhaust gas for diesel particulate filter regeneration

An electrically heated element (52) within the exhaust system of a diesel engine raises the exhaust temperature sufficiently at idle or similar low exhaust flow/low exhaust temperature conditions to the point where the DOC (44) is activated to bum fuel. As soon as the catalyst within the DOC housing is active, the DPF (48) regeneration can be initiated. The electrically heated element can be provided within the exhaust pipe between the turbine (40) outlet of turbocharged diesel (32) engines and the DOC housing inlet. The electrically heated element can be powered from the engine alternator (60) and activated when needed by the engine electronic control module (20).