A method comprises determining that an aftertreatment system is in a cold-operation mode; initiating a low engine-out NOx (LEON) mode by controlling a component of a vehicle containing the aftertreatment system to decrease an instantaneous engine out NOx (EONOx) amount and to increase exhaust energy relative to a normal operation mode for an engine of the vehicle; receiving information indicative of an operating status of the vehicle during the LEON mode; disengaging the LEON mode; subsequent to disengaging the LEON mode, initiating a thermal management (TM) mode for the aftertreatment system, wherein the TM mode is initiated by controlling a component of the vehicle to increase fueling to the engine for a power level by reducing engine efficiency and directing excess fuel to the aftertreatment system; receiving information indicative of an operating status of the vehicle during the TM mode; and disengaging the TM mode.