Xining Government Procurement Case for Yellow-Plate Sewage Treatment Vehicle (Model 3308): In-depth Comparison of Blue-Plate vs. Yellow-Plate Selection In the high-altitude city of Xining, municipal sanitation departments face a typical challenge: how to ensure stable operation of sewage treatment vehicles under severe cold conditions? In early 2026, a municipal sanitation department launched a procurement initiative for a yellow-plate Model 3308 sewage treatment vehicle and ultimately selected Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle’s winning bid. Based on this real government procurement case, this article compares blue-plate (C-license) and yellow-plate (B-license) options, analyzes operating costs, vehicle specifications, and winter adaptability, and provides selection recommendations to support informed procurement decisions. I. Case Background: Procurement Requirements of a Municipal Sanitation Department in Xining Xining is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, where winter temperatures frequently drop below −15°C—posing stringent requirements for vehicle frost-proof starting and low-temperature hydraulic system stability. The department required a sewage treatment vehicle for routine cleaning and sewage transfer from urban sewers and septic tanks, with the following key performance criteria: • Tank capacity of 8–12 m³ to meet single-operation volume requirements; • Integrated functions for sewage suction, transportation, and discharge; • Adaptability to high-altitude, low-temperature environments, ensuring reliable winter starting and hydraulic system stability; • Budget constraint of approximately ¥223,000–¥334,000 (based on publicly available tender information). After multiple rounds of tendering, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle successfully delivered its CLW5180GSSD6 model yellow-plate sewage treatment vehicle. To date, the vehicle has been deployed in Xining, and customer feedback confirms stable low-temperature performance. II. Blue-Plate (C-License) vs. Yellow-Plate (B-License): Core Differences and Selection Comparison Many procurement entities face an initial decision between blue-plate and yellow-plate sewage treatment vehicles. The table below provides a detailed comparison across key dimensions including driver licensing requirements, operating costs, and application scenarios: Comparison Dimension Blue-Plate (C-License) Vehicle Yellow-Plate (B-License) Vehicle (e.g., CLW5180GSSD6) Driver License Requirement C1 or C2 license sufficient B2 or A2 license required; increases driver staffing cost Gross Vehicle Weight ≤ 4.5 tons; typical tank capacity: 3–5 m³ 18-ton class; tank capacity: 8–12 m³ Representative Model Reference CLW5070GSSD6 (4.5-ton chassis, modified from water-sprinkler truck) CLW5180GSSD6 (18-ton class) Reference On-Road Price Approx. ¥98,000–¥115,000 (5 m³ blue-plate) Approx. ¥198,000–¥245,000 (12 m³) Annual Insurance Premium Approx. ¥3,000–¥5,000 Approx. ¥8,000–¥12,000 Toll & Bridge Fees Eligible for blue-plate vehicle preferential policies; lower expressway tolls Charged per standard freight vehicle rates; slightly higher cost Annual Inspection Frequency Once every two years within first 6 years; annually after 10 years Annual inspection required, including mandatory line testing Applicable Scenarios Narrow streets, residential communities, small property management sites Municipal trunk roads, industrial zones, large-scale projects Winter Starting Performance Pre-heating devices required; smaller-displacement engines start more easily in cold weather Diesel engine equipped with low-temperature starting system; Chengli’s solution includes this as standard Hydraulic System Stability Smaller system; requires low-temperature hydraulic oil replacement in winter Larger system; Chengli’s standard configuration includes low-temperature-resistant seals and