Hexagon Purus

In spring 2023, Hexagon Purus—a business unit within Hexagon’s portfolio focused on zero emissions mobility—held the grand opening for its 60,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art micro-factory, one of many new buildings located in the rapidly growing Kelowna International Airport Business Park.

“We are, today, putting both fuel cell electric and battery electric vehicles on the road,” says Hexagon Purus Executive Vice President—and Kelowna local—Todd Sloan. “The technology is here, now infrastructure is the next step.”


It is expected that the micro-factory will produce more than 1,000 battery systems annually for heavy-duty vehicle applications. By 2024, more than 150 engineers and assembly technicians, along with additional team members handling operations and administration, will be employed at the Kelowna micro-factory. Attracting talent to the region is easy, thanks to its picturesque landscape, big city amenities, and enviable quality of life, which includes work-life balance, a close-knit community, and minimal commute times.

“We’re excited to have the new micro-factory where everyone can come together under one roof,” says Sloan. “While the building is new, the team isn’t—it is made up of many folks who have been around since the early days as well as a lot of new talent, made up of locals and individuals from across Canada and around the world.”

The early days involve Sloan’s more than 20 years of experience in the trucking and clean mobility industry, which eventually led to the company he founded, Enviromech Industries, joining forces with Hexagon.

Now, as part of the Hexagon Purus Executive Management team, Todd continues to be at the forefront of the company’s growth and innovation. While Hexagon Purus is making an impact locally in the Central Okanagan, the work being done in Kelowna will have a global impact.

Shortly before the Kelowna micro-factory opening, Hexagon Purus signed a landmark long-term agreement with Hino Trucks to produce complete battery-electric heavy-duty trucks for the US market. The agreement, valued at approximately $2 billion USD, will see up to 10,000 trucks delivered by 2030, with the initial battery system volumes being produced at the Kelowna facility.

“We are fortunate to be able to research, conceive, and design this in Kelowna,” notes Sloan. “We will continue to expand into new areas in North America and the next [vehicle integration] facility is opening [in Dallas, Texas] in 2024.”

Sloan also notes there is a lot of support for cleantech growth in Kelowna, including the Cleantech Hub at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus (UBCO), which provides access to researchers, students, and programs to assist in launching projects.

“The Okanagan brings the ability to attract talent, create local opportunity, and have an unbeatable lifestyle and a career with purpose,” says Sloan. “BC has always been progressive in the clean and green economy. In Kelowna, we have a great mix of opportunity and the Okanagan lifestyle.”