Case Study and Bid-Winning Solution Analysis of the EHY5045TWCE6 Sewage Treatment Vehicle (3308 mm Wheelbase) in Xinxiang Municipal Government Procurement: A Driver-Centric Evaluation of Cost-Effectiveness for Blue-Plate Sewage Vehicles Amid mounting environmental protection pressures, sewage treatment vehicles have become essential equipment for municipal sanitation departments. Recently, a municipal sanitation department in Xinxiang (hereinafter referred to as the 'Xinxiang customer') procured Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd.'s EHY5045TWCE6 sewage treatment vehicle (3308 mm wheelbase) via public tender for urban sewer pipeline cleaning and emergency response. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the vehicle’s real-world usability, operational convenience, ease of operation for C-license drivers, and cost-effectiveness under budget constraints — offering procurement entities practical reference insights. I. Case Background: Precise Model Selection Under Budget Constraints According to publicly available tender information, the Xinxiang customer’s core procurement requirements were: acquiring a blue-plate sewage treatment vehicle capable of handling domestic wastewater and featuring self-priming and self-discharging functionality, all within a budget of approximately RMB 277,000. After multiple rounds of technical and commercial evaluation, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle’s EHY5045TWCE6 model was awarded the contract, with one unit delivered. Customer feedback indicates stable performance during actual operations—particularly well-suited for narrow roadways in older residential communities and industrial parks. This vehicle is built on a Dongfeng chassis, with a wheelbase of 3,308 mm and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,495 kg—fully compliant with China’s blue-plate vehicle classification and eligible for operation with a Class C1 driver’s license. Per local procurement practice, the unit price is approximately RMB 238,000, inclusive of the superstructure, chassis, and first-year insurance. Compared to equivalent yellow-plate models, this blue-plate configuration delivers notable cost savings—estimated at RMB 8,000–15,000 annually—on operating expenses such as tolls and insurance premiums. II. Driver Perspective: Operational Convenience and Ease of Use for C-License Drivers 1. Real-World Driving Experience: Feels Like Driving a Light-Duty Truck The EHY5045TWCE6 features a cab design consistent with Dongfeng light-duty trucks—offering excellent visibility and power-assisted steering for effortless maneuverability. Drivers report: “On my first drive, it felt nearly identical to a standard light-duty truck—but with a more compact body and smaller turning radius, making U-turns in narrow alleys of urban villages remarkably easy.” Equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, gear shifts are smooth and clutch pedal effort is moderate—reducing driver fatigue during extended operations. Core functions—including sewage pump start/stop and tank lifting—are centralized on the dashboard control panel, with intuitive button layout. Operators require only half a day of training before becoming fully operational. 2. Class C License Compliance: Legal, Regulatory, and Labor-Cost Advantages With a GVWR of 4.5 tons, the vehicle meets China’s blue-plate classification criteria, allowing legal operation with a Class C1 driver’s license. This represents a significant advantage in procurement planning, especially given widespread shortages of Class B2-licensed drivers across many municipal units. The customer noted: “Previously, our yellow-plate vehicles required dedicated B2-licensed drivers, costing roughly RMB 2,000 more per month in wages. Switching to a blue-plate vehicle enables us to deploy regular drivers—greatly enhancing workforce flexibility.” Moreover, blue-plate vehicles face fewer restrictions under urban traffic control policies and may access certain zones where yellow-plate vehicles are prohibited