Introduction: Insights into Sewage Treatment Truck Procurement Trends from the Yueyang Project — In 2024, a municipal sanitation department in Yueyang launched a procurement initiative for sewage treatment trucks, prioritizing blue-plate models (gross vehicle weight ≤ 4.5 tons) to meet operational requirements in narrow urban streets and small-scale discharge points. The project budget was capped at approximately RMB 331,000, with mandatory capabilities including sewage treatment, temporary storage, and preliminary purification. After multiple rounds of evaluation, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. delivered three Dongfeng D6 blue-plate sewage treatment trucks, model reference CLW5070GSSD6 (though this model is officially listed as a water-sprinkling truck, its chassis and announcement compliance are adaptable to sewage treatment applications). This article analyzes the Chengli winning proposal based on publicly available tender information and industry practices, covering comparative cost analysis between fuel-powered and battery-electric variants, differences in application scenarios, charging infrastructure requirements, and more. I. Fuel-Powered vs. Battery-Electric: Cost Comparison Analysis In government procurement, new-energy vehicles (battery-electric variants) receive strong policy support due to environmental incentives; however, fuel-powered models remain mainstream owing to their mature technology and lower upfront costs. Below is a comparative analysis of the Dongfeng D6 blue-plate sewage treatment truck’s fuel-powered and battery-electric versions, based on the Yueyang project and Chengli product data from the knowledge base. Comparison Dimension Fuel-Powered Version (Dongfeng D6 Blue-Plate) Battery-Electric Version (Hypothetical Configuration) Initial Procurement Cost Approx. RMB 150,000–180,000/unit (reference: blue-plate 5-cubic-meter water-sprinkling trucks priced at RMB 98,000–115,000; sewage treatment upfit complexity increases cost) Approx. RMB 250,000–320,000/unit (higher battery and motor costs; industry benchmark) Annual Operating Cost (fuel/electricity + maintenance) Approx. RMB 12,000–18,000 (daily mileage: 50–80 km; fuel consumption: 10–12 L/100 km) Approx. RMB 4,000–6,000 (electricity rate: RMB 0.6/kWh; daily consumption: 30–50 kWh) 5-Year Total Cost (initial + operating) Approx. RMB 210,000–270,000 Approx. RMB 270,000–350,000 Subsidy Policy None Local subsidies approx. RMB 30,000–50,000 (per Yueyang and Hunan Province policies) Depreciation Residual Value Approx. RMB 50,000–60,000 (after 5 years) Approx. RMB 30,000–50,000 (battery degradation impact) Comprehensive Cost (after subsidy) Approx. RMB 160,000–210,000 Approx. RMB 250,000–300,000 Conclusion Lower initial investment—suitable for budget-constrained projects Environmentally preferred, yet overall cost remains comparatively high Note: Data above is estimated based on local procurement practices and Chengli water-sprinkling truck pricing from the knowledge base; actual figures shall follow official tender documents. From a cost perspective, the fuel-powered Dongfeng D6 blue-plate sewage treatment truck holds a clear advantage in the Yueyang project—particularly under the ~RMB 331,000 budget cap, where purchasing three fuel-powered units saves approximately RMB 200,000–300,000 in initial investment versus battery-electric alternatives. Although battery-electric models offer lower operating costs, their high upfront cost and insufficient charging infrastructure present practical constraints. II. Application Scenario Differences: Why the Fuel-Powered Version Better Fits Yueyang’s Needs The Yueyang municipal sanitation department’s project requirements explicitly focus on urban sewage suction/drainage, temporary storage, and transport to treatment facilities. Typical use cases include: Narrow-street operations: Blue-plate body (length