Apollo Air 2022 Review

Design

Handlebars

As is to be expected with a proprietary Apollo design, the handlebars on the Air 2002 are sleek, clean, and stylish.

They retain the same, slightly upswept aesthetic as seen on previous models, while the width is ample enough to deliver good handling and enough steering control to help you feel safe at all times. The smooth thumb throttle and flush central display also make a reappearance, allowing you to move serenely while keeping an eye on key stats.

One key difference, however, is the addition of a regenerative brake paddle on the left-hand side, but a vanity move, this is not. Having a separate regen paddle that isn’t integrated into the mechanical brake lever allows you to recycle more power, as you’re not engaging any other power-sapping mechanism in the process. We’re big fans of this new feature.

Frame

Changes are afoot when it comes to the frame. The design just went from a 7/10 to a 9/10.

Though retaining the same simple-yet-robust quality of the Air Pro 2021, this time the aircraft-grade aluminum is coated in a layer of oil-based graphite paint.

This serves two purposes: first, it delivers a new, metallic aesthetic befitting the modern aesthetic of this scooter. Second – and most importantly – it is anti-corrosive, which makes the frame less vulnerable to wear and tear, therefore improving the scooter’s longevity.

Deck

The deck is exactly what you want on a scooter of its stature. Spacious and, with its geometrically inspired rubber coating that is exceptionally grippy, there’s no chance of slipping.

The deck’s tapered, longboard-esque design dovetails perfectly with the svelte frame to create an aerodynamic quality that’s in keeping with the original Apollo Air Pro. Why reinvent the wheel if the wheel was already turning heads?

Wheels

Talking of wheels, the Air 2022 sports new tires that represent a real improvement on the 2021 Air models.

For starters, these 10-inch beauts now have a thicker exterior wall, which vanquishes the specter of pinch flats.

Additionally, the tire tread and shape of the front-on profile have both been upgraded. The tires now feature a tread pattern that grips the road better to allow you to lean into corners and carve more effectively. This improved riding experience is further elevated with the curvature of the tires. Instead of the front-on profile of the tires being rounded and coming to an edge, the new profile benefits from perfect curvature, meaning that traction is maintained even when riding at acute angles.

Build Quality & Durability

This is an Apollo scooter – and if there’s one thing above all else that the brand is known for, it’s outstanding build quality. The Air 2022 doesn’t disappoint.

Though it generally follows the successful formula honed on earlier models, one key difference can be seen in the vastly improved cable management. Whereas the Air Pro 2021 was guilty of some overhanging, this time all the wires are threaded through the frame.

With its upgraded graphite coating and improved IP54 water-resistance rating, the new Air is a scooter that you can rely on come rain or shine.

I previously compared earlier Apollo models to the artisan of scooter builds, INOKIM, and the Air 2022 is another triumph. From its curved lines, flush finishes, and design that flows from one section to the next, everything about this model oozes quality.

Weight & Load

At 38.5 lbs, the Air belongs firmly in the category of lightweight scooters. Its weight is a response to customer feedback on the new Apollo City, which is deemed as being too bulky for carrying upstairs or onto public transport.

One of the slight grumbles I have with the Air, though, is that at 220 lbs, its load-bearing capacity falls short of other scooters in its category, such as the Mosquito and Horizon which can both support 265 lbs of rider weight. This is a shame, as it rules the Air out as an option for some heavier riders.

Folding & Portability

One of the Apollo City’s crowning glories was the new and improved one-click folding mechanism. Thankfully, instead of sticking with the cumbersome clamp and quick-release lever seen on previous Air models, the Air 2022 adopts its cousin’s far superior contraption.

This, coupled with its lightweight frame, distinguishes the Air as a leading portable scooter. Fear not if you live in the rafters of an apartment building: this scooter can be carried with minimal fuss, while it’ll also fit in a car boot or under a desk.

The only area of its design that falls short against its portable competitors is how you have to carry it. Because the handlebars fold at the base of the stem, they are angled downwards towards the deck when folded. This makes the Air a little more cumbersome to carry than scooters which fold at the neck where the stem is parallel to the deck.

Assembly

The big day’s here. Your new Apollo Air has arrived and the box has been opened. The good news is you’ll be on the road in no time.

All you need to do is lock the stem in place and fit the handlebars, tucking the cables neatly in before fastening the screws with the Allen key provided.

You may want to tighten or loosen the brakes depending on your preferences, but we’d suggest giving this baby a spin first to get a feel for it.

Ride Quality

Is the Apollo Air 2022 Comfortable to Ride?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes.

The Air 2022 continues a proud lineage of Apollo scooters that deliver superb ride quality. In fact, we rate it as having the best ride quality under $1,000.

Though it excels on well-kept urban surfaces – where its tires and suspension combine to soak up every shock and vibration – the new Air can also handle slightly rougher terrain.

With the grippy deck and tall, wide handlebars factored in, alongside the ergonomic controls and impressive brakes, the Air is a comfortable and secure scooter that will bring you joy every time you ride it.

Performance & Safety

Top Speed

Armed with its bulked-up 500W motor, the Air 2022 redefines expectations of what a lightweight Apollo scooter can do with its top speed of 21 mph.

Compared to the Air 2021, it is 40% faster, and 17% faster than the Air Pro 2021.

When you receive the scooter, it's worthwhile downloading the app, pairing it with the scooter, and setting the top speed to the maximum setting. I did this and managed to hit 22 mph on a straight, flat road.

Let's look at how the Apollo Air 2022 measures up against scooters within its price and weight classes.

Speed vs Price Comparison

At $999, 17 other models within a range of $500 can be compared to the Apollo Air 2022.

At first glance, the Air’s mid-to-low ranking isn’t very impressive. There are some caveats, however.

Firstly, the reason for its placement is because, although the other models before it – like the Horizon and Mosquito – have the same sized 500W motors, they operate on 48V meaning they can generate more torque than the Air’s 36V 500W motor.

Secondly, the front-runners in this list – the SPLACH Twin and Varla Pegasus – both wield dual motors. Considering that the Twin shares the same price as the Apollo Air, you may be tempted to think it represents better value. And if speed is key to your decision-making, such a mindset is completely valid.

Yet, this ignores the purpose of each model; the Twin positions itself as an affordable entry-point into dual motor scooters, while the Apollo Air is designed for portability, with a perfect balance of speed and range.

Speed vs Weight Comparison

Moving to our comparison of speed against models in the Air’s weight class, it achieves a respectable third-place ranking.

Fluid’s Horizon pairing are the stars of the show here, with their more powerful motors proving decisive.

It’s also worth mentioning the Mosquito, which although not ranked here, has a top speed of 25 mph and weighs less than the Air at 29 lbs.

Nevertheless, the power-to-weight ratio of the Air is perfectly primed for inner city rides.

Acceleration

When comparing the new Air side by side with the older variants, the new and more powerful motor affords it a 20% faster acceleration rate than the Air 2021 and a 5% advantage over the Air Pro 2021.

As for its performance against the scooters that we recommend as alternatives, the Air performs as we expected.

It beats the Turboant X7 Max to 15 mph by 1.2 seconds, equating to a 17% faster acceleration rate, while it falls behind the Mosquito, Horizon, and SPLACH Twin with their more powerful motors.

Taking the comparisons a step further, when we consider the Air’s performance against other scooters of a similar weight and profile, it performs well. It's not below par and it is not mind-blowingly good, it sits in the middle, making it a good allrounder.

One thing that does set it apart from the competition, though, is that via the mobile app, you can dial in the strength of the acceleration. As stock, it comes with an acceleration strength of 6/10, but you can dial this up to the max to get the most from the 500W motor.

Range

With its vastly improved 36V 15Ah battery in tow, the Apollo Air 2002 boasts 44% more battery power compared to its predecessor, the Air Pro 2021.

This, along with the new Air’s superior 21700 cells – which deliver better quality, hold more capacity and have a higher energy density than the Air 2021’s 18650 cells – transform its range capabilities. Instead of 18 miles, you can now achieve a top range of 31 miles – or 23 miles under realistic conditions.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Compared to the 17 comparable models within a price range of $500, the Apollo Air 2022 is a top performer claiming a top 5 ranking.

Though the Turboant V8 takes the top spot, we believe that its stats are inflated. When we consider that the V8 has the same size battery as the Air (made up of two 7.5Ah batteries), 50 miles seems exorbitant. One of its batteries, however, is removable – meaning you can extend its range beyond what can be achieved with the Air.

Nevertheless, the build quality of the V8 is substandard to the Air, as is its ride quality. If I had to choose between both, I’d choose the Air – it’s a much better scooter all-round. Besides, both perform toe-to-toe where real-world mileage is concerned.

On the other hand, the GoTrax GMAX Ultra has a larger battery than the Air (36V 17.5Ah) – and it also uses LG cells. Although the rest of its build isn’t as good as the Air, if you wanted to save some money, it could be a wise choice.

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

When comparing the Air to scooters in its weight class, its performance shines.

On the surface, it just misses out on the top spot to the Turboant X7 Max.

However, burrow down a little and the real victor is unearthed. Because, though the maximum range may fall short by 1 mile, when assessing the real-world performance, the Air outshines the Turboant (23 vs 18 miles).

The joker in the pack, of course, is the Turboant’s detachable battery. An additional battery costs $220 and will increase your energy capacity to 720Wh, which is 33% greater than that of the Air. In total, this setup would cost you around $800, which is $199 cheaper than the Air. You get what you pay for, however; because, when all’s said and done, the Turboant X7 Max doesn’t have as good build or ride quality.

Hill Climbing

Its maximum incline rate of 10 degrees remains the same as its predecessor, but the new 500W motor certainly makes it more adept at climbing hills.

Ultimately, though, we don’t recommend the Air if you live in a hilly area. It can handle gentle slopes but slows on anything more challenging.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you cannot go wrong with an Apollo scooter when it comes to suspension and shock absorption.

The dual front fork suspension does a great job at ironing out imperfections in the road, while those beefy 10-inch tires play their part in cushioning bumps and vibrations. Combined, you’re guaranteed a smooth urban ride.

Braking

The key detail here is that the mechanical drum brake is on the front wheel. This gives it far better stopping power compared to if it was positioned at the rear.

Combined with the regenerative brake paddle, braking power is spread across the front and rear wheels, adding an extra layer of control while helping to conserve the battery.

As a result, the Air 2022 comes to a stop from 15 mph in 3.4 meters. This is the same braking performance that we recorded on the Air Pro 2021.

Interestingly, its braking performance matches that of its bigger cousin, the Apollo City 2022 – despite it having dual drum brakes and a regen brake.

Charge Time

The 36V 15Ah battery takes between 5 and 7 hours to recharge.

The charging port is covered by a protective cap to ensure that no water gets in and messes with the circuitry.

Extra Features

LED Display

Equipped with a clean and simple display in the middle of the handlebars, you can view your speed and battery life at a glance.

By using the button below the display, you can easily switch between three riding modes: Gear 1 will cap your speed at 9 mph, Gear 2 will limit the scooter to 12.5 mph, and Gear 3 will allow you to reach its full 21 mph potential. The button also lets you activate your lights.

The only area for improvement is if the display were brighter. It gets washed out in the light and the small icons that depict your riding mode are hard to see.

Mobile App Compatibility For Customized Performance

By downloading the Apollo app, you can unlock a host of customization options.

Available on both Android and iOS, the app not only gives you a dashboard full of riding stats but also lets you:

• Adjust the strength of the regenerative brake and acceleration
• Tweak your top speed, as well as the speed of each riding mode
• Turn cruise control on and off, and set the time it takes before it automatically kicks in
• Turn the digital lock on and off, which immobilizes the scooter by applying the electronic brake
• Turn the lights on and off
• Change your units of measurement
• Toggle between kick-to-start and zero-start modes

The app integration is a real perk of owning an Apollo scooter. With a wealth of data and the ability to customize at your fingertips, it adds another dimension to your experience.

Headlight and Taillight

Unlike the original Air Pro, where the headlight protruded from the stem and could be adjusted up or down, the new design has been seamlessly integrated into the stem. Sat just under the handlebars it’s relatively bright but we still recommend attaching an additional headlight for more visibility at night.

As on previous Air models, at the rear, you’ll find a taillight protruding from the fender. However, an overlooked area of its design is that it doesn’t flash when you brake. The only point at which anyone would know if you are braking is when the lights are turned off. Under these circumstances, when you pull on the brake lever or push down on the regen braking paddle, the rear light will illuminate, but even so, it only maintains a constant glow as opposed to flashing.

Smart Power Management

As is customary for an Apollo scooter, the new Air comes equipped with a battery management system. This protects against short-circuiting, overcurrents, overcharging, undervoltage, and ensures effective temperature resistance.

All of this ensures that the scooter is kept in good health.

IP54 Water-Resistance Rating

Benefiting from an improved IP54 water-resistance rating, you can expect no ill effects from light rain, shallow puddles, and splashes. It also protects you from dust and debris ingress.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Apollo’s stellar reputation doesn’t just come from its outstanding scooters. Their generous warranties and customer support have a lot to do with that too.

As standard, manufacturing defects are covered under a 12-month warranty. But where Apollo goes above and beyond is in their 24-month protection plan that takes care of wear and tear. This covers consumables including brake pads, inner tubes, tires, and fenders.

Apollo’s customer support team is also on-hand to answer your queries via email. I’ve emailed them several times in the past and have always been impressed with their speedy and helpful responses.

They have a comprehensive self-help hub, too. It’s brimming with a range of resources that include repair and troubleshooting FAQs, maintenance and care guides, and even general shipping and buying FAQs.