Air 2022

About

If you have been following the electric scooter industry for the last few years, you know that the market is flooded with clones. It often feels like a sea of identical black stems and shaky folding mechanisms. Enter the Apollo Air 2022. This scooter represents a significant pivot in the "entry-level" philosophy. Designed by the Canadian team at Apollo, this machine isn't just another generic commuter; it is a carefully manicured attempt to bring premium build quality, usually reserved for high-performance beasts, down to a daily commuter friendly package. The 2022 model is a direct evolution of the previous year's iteration, but don't let the similar name fool you-the upgrades here are substantial, addressing almost every piece of feedback the community threw at the original.

What makes the Air 2022 special is its positioning. It sits comfortably in that "premium commuter" bracket. It isn't trying to be the fastest scooter on the block, nor is it trying to be the cheapest. Instead, it focuses entirely on ride quality. The philosophy here is that your commute shouldn't just be about getting from A to B; it should be comfortable, stable, and reliable. Apollo has stripped away the unnecessary bulk of off-roaders and refined the chassis to be sleek and urban-centric. It features a single-piece casting for the frame, which eliminates the wobble and squeaks that plague cheaper alternatives. When you look at it, you don't see exposed bolts and messy wires; you see a clean, integrated design that looks as good parked in a lobby as it does on the street.

The Air 2022 was designed to be the "people's scooter." It bridges the gap between the toy-like scooters you might rent on a street corner and the terrifying dual-motor monsters that require full motorcycle gear to ride safely. It is approachable but powerful enough to handle the realities of city riding, such as hills and traffic flow. By integrating feedback from thousands of riders, Apollo created a scooter that prioritizes stability and ease of use, making it a top contender for anyone looking to upgrade their daily commute without needing a degree in electrical engineering to maintain their ride.

Safety

When we talk about safety on electric scooters, the conversation usually starts and ends with brakes. The Apollo Air 2022 takes a hybrid approach that I honestly wish more manufacturers would adopt in this price range. Up front, you have a mechanical drum brake. Now, before you roll your eyes and ask for disc brakes, hear me out. Drum brakes are virtually maintenance-free. They are sealed against dust, water, and grime, meaning you won't be fiddling with bent rotors or squeaky pads every week. For a commuter scooter that might see rain and puddles, this is a massive reliability win.

However, the real star of the show is the electronic regenerative braking in the rear. This isn't the jerky, on-off electronic braking you might find on cheaper scooters. Apollo has refined their regen braking to be buttery smooth and progressive. In many riding scenarios, you can rely almost entirely on the regen brake (often activated by a dedicated throttle on the left handlebar on this model). This not only slows you down effectively but also pumps a little bit of juice back into the battery. More importantly, it provides a dual-braking system that keeps the scooter stable during emergency stops, preventing the rear wheel from locking up and sliding out from under you.

Visibility and stability are the other two pillars of the Air's safety suite. The scooter comes equipped with a high-mounted headlight and a bright rear taillight that blinks when you brake. While the headlight is decent for being seen by cars, hardcore night riders might still want to clip on an extra beam for unlit paths. What truly enhances safety, however, is the stability provided by the 10-inch tires and the suspension. Small wheels get caught in potholes; large wheels roll over them. By using 10-inch pneumatic tires, the Air 2022 gives you a much larger contact patch with the road, drastically reducing the chances of a spill when you hit a patch of gravel or a wet manhole cover.

Performance

Let's get into the meat and potatoes: how does it drive? The Apollo Air 2022 is powered by a 500W motor. On paper, this might look "average" compared to the 1000W+ dual-motor beasts, but in the real world of commuting, 500W is the sweet spot. This motor has been upgraded from the previous generation's 350W, and you can absolutely feel the difference. Acceleration is zippy without being terrifying. When the light turns green, you have enough torque to pull away from cyclists and keep up with city traffic flow, which is a crucial safety factor in itself. You aren't a sitting duck in the bike lane; you are an active participant in traffic.

The top speed hits around 32-35 km/h, depending on rider weight and battery charge. For most urban environments, this is more than enough. In fact, in many European and North American cities, this hovers right at the legal limit or slightly above. The throttle response is tuned for controllability. Unlike some budget scooters that have a "dead zone" in the throttle followed by a sudden jerk of power, the Apollo Air delivers power linearly. This makes low-speed maneuvers, like navigating through pedestrians or tight bollards, incredibly easy and stress-free.

Hill climbing is where the 500W motor really justifies its existence over smaller 250W or 350W competitors. While it won't fly up a 30-degree incline like a dual-motor scooter would, it handles standard city hills (think 10-15 degrees) with respectable competence. A 75 kg rider will likely maintain 20-25 km/h on moderate inclines. If you are on the heavier side, you might see a speed drop on steep sections, but it rarely gives up the ghost completely. It's a reliable workhorse that trades raw, neck-snapping power for consistent, usable performance that won't overwhelm a newer rider.

Design

The aesthetic of the Apollo Air 2022 is best described as "tech-minimalist." It doesn't look like a collection of bicycle parts bolted together; it looks like a cohesive vehicle. The graphite grey finish and the internal cable routing give it a sleek, futuristic vibe. The stem is robust and thick, inspiring confidence when you are holding onto the handlebars. Speaking of the handlebars, they are wider than average for a scooter in this class. This is a deliberate design choice that vastly improves handling. Narrow handlebars make a scooter feel twitchy; wide ones make it feel stable. It does make squeezing through a narrow door slightly harder, but the trade-off in ride quality is absolutely worth it.

Build quality is a frequent topic of praise in the community. The chassis is built from aircraft-grade aluminum, and the fit and finish are generally excellent. The deck is covered in a rubberized mat rather than grip tape. This is a huge "quality of life" feature-grip tape gets dirty, peels, and looks ragged after a few months. The rubber deck is easy to wipe down and keeps the scooter looking fresh. The display is integrated cleanly into the handlebar stem, showing speed, battery, and mode without looking like a cheap cycling computer zip-tied to the bar.

The folding mechanism on the 2022 model was redesigned to be more robust than its predecessor. It uses a claw-like latch system. While it is incredibly secure-zero wobble is the goal here-some users have found it a bit stiff out of the box. It requires you to bend down to the deck to latch it, which isn't as convenient as stem-mounted latches, but the result is a steering column that feels solid as a rock when you are riding. There is no annoying "stem play" that plagues so many other folding scooters, making the Air feel like a solid piece of metal beneath you.

Comfort

If I had to use one word to describe the Apollo Air 2022, it would be "plush." This is where this scooter truly leaves the competition in the dust. Most entry-level scooters rely solely on pneumatic tires for suspension, or maybe a stiff spring that doesn't do much. The Air 2022 features a proper front dual-fork suspension system. When you combine this mechanical suspension with the 10-inch air-filled tires, the result is a ride quality that rivals scooters costing twice as much. It absorbs the high-frequency vibrations from rough asphalt and takes the sharp edge off potholes and sidewalk cracks.

Why does this matter? Fatigue. If you are riding a solid-tire scooter with no suspension for 5 km, your knees and hands will be vibrating by the time you arrive. On the Apollo Air, you glide. The suspension allows the wheel to track the ground better, which not only improves comfort but also traction. You don't get bounced off your line when you hit a bump mid-turn. The deck is also spacious enough to allow for a comfortable stance, letting you shift your weight around as needed.

The ergonomic grips are shaped to support your palms, reducing wrist strain on longer rides. The thumb throttles (one for gas, one for regen brake) are intuitive and don't require you to contort your hand like trigger throttles do. Riders consistently report that they can ride the Air 2022 for its full battery range without feeling beaten up, which is a testament to the thought put into the suspension geometry and rider ergonomics.

Range

The Apollo Air 2022 comes equipped with a 36V 15Ah battery, boasting a capacity of 540 Wh. In the world of electric vehicles, battery size is king, and this is a very respectable size for a single-motor scooter. The manufacturer advertises a maximum range of up to 50 km. However, as any seasoned electric scooter enthusiast will tell you, "advertised range" is often tested with a lightweight rider, on a flat indoor track, at walking speed, with a tailwind. It's a theoretical maximum.

In the real world, range is a different story, but the Air 2022 still performs admirably. Based on community feedback and realistic riding conditions (stop-and-go traffic, max speed, mixed terrain), you can expect a realistic range of roughly 30 to 37 km. If you are riding in "Sport" mode and attacking hills, expect the lower end of that spectrum. If you cruise in "Eco" mode on flat ground, you might push closer to 40-45 km. For 90% of urban commuters, 30 km of real-world range is more than enough to get to work, run errands, and get home without range anxiety.

Charging time is standard for this battery voltage, taking around 7 to 9 hours to go from empty to full. This means it's an overnight charge or a "plug it in when you get to the office" situation. One thing to note is that, like many 36V systems, the scooter may experience some "voltage sag" as the battery depletes. This means that when you drop below 30% battery, you might notice a slight decrease in top speed and acceleration punch. It's normal behavior for this battery chemistry, but something to be aware of if you plan on pushing the range limits.

Use and Practicality

Here is the elephant in the room: the name "Air" is a bit of a misnomer. Weighing in at 17,6 kg, this scooter is not exactly featherlight. While it is lighter than the dual-motor performance beasts, it is significantly heavier than ultra-portable options like the E-TWOW series. If you live in a fourth-floor walk-up apartment with no elevator, you are going to get a workout carrying this thing up and down every day. It is manageable for short flights of stairs or lifting into a car trunk, but it is not something you want to carry around a shopping mall.

However, that weight buys you stability and durability. It feels planted on the road in a way that lighter scooters simply don't. The folding mechanism reduces the height, but the handlebars do not fold in. This makes the folded package somewhat wide. If you are trying to stash this under a desk on a crowded train, the wide handlebars might be a nuisance. You need to measure your storage space before buying to ensure it fits.

For daily usability, the IP54 water resistance rating is a welcome feature. It means you don't have to panic if you get caught in a light drizzle or ride through damp streets. It is not a submarine-don't ride it through deep puddles-but it can handle the typical unpredictable weather of city life. The kickstand is sturdy and placed well to support the scooter's weight without tipping over, a small detail that many manufacturers get wrong.

General Assessment

The Apollo Air 2022 occupies a fascinating spot in the market. It is widely regarded by the community as one of the best "all-rounder" scooters you can buy for under 1 000 €. It doesn't have the wildest specs, but the sum of its parts is greater than the whole. Owners generally fall in love with the ride quality. Once you experience that front suspension and the stability of the chassis, it is very hard to go back to a rigid, rattly rental scooter or a cheap budget clone.

The consensus is that this is a mature product. It feels like a vehicle designed for adults, not a toy. The integration with the Apollo App allows for customization of acceleration curves and braking strength, which tech-savvy riders appreciate. While there are complaints-mostly centered around the weight and the occasional stiffness of the folding latch-the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. It is seen as a reliable, stylish, and incredibly comfortable way to navigate the city.

Is it perfect? No. Hardcore enthusiasts often wish for a 48V system for a bit more top-end punch, and portability seekers wish it was lighter. But for the vast majority of riders who just want a safe, smooth, and reliable way to get to work or class, the Apollo Air 2022 hits the nail on the head. It prioritizes the things that actually matter on a daily commute: comfort, braking, and build quality.

Who Is This Scooter For?

The Apollo Air 2022 is the perfect match for the urban professional commuter. This is for the person who views their scooter as a legitimate vehicle replacement for a car or bus pass. You want to arrive at work looking fresh, not rattled to the bone. You value design and don't want to ride something that looks like a science project. You have a moderate commute (5-15 km one way) and want the safety of good brakes and stable tires.

It is also an excellent choice for first-time riders who are willing to spend a bit more for safety. The stability and smooth throttle curve make it very forgiving to learn on. You won't accidentally wheelie this scooter, and the suspension covers up a lot of beginner mistakes like not bending knees over bumps. If you are buying a scooter for a teenager or a partner and your main concern is "I don't want them to get hurt," this is a strong contender.

Who should avoid it? Speed demons and adrenaline junkies will be bored. If you want to race cars off the line or go 50 km/h, look at the Apollo Ghost or Phantom. Similarly, multi-modal commuters who need to carry a scooter onto a crowded bus or up many flights of stairs should look elsewhere. At 17,6 kg, it is just too heavy to be lugged around conveniently by hand for long distances.

Community Feedback - Pros

• Butter-smooth Ride: The combination of front suspension and 10-inch pneumatic tires is universally praised as the best in its class.
• Premium Build Quality: Owners love the solid, rattle-free feel of the single-piece frame.
• Regenerative Braking: The dedicated regen throttle is smooth, effective, and saves wear on the mechanical brakes.
• Aesthetics: The clean, cable-free look and "grown-up" design get high marks.
• Stability: Wide handlebars and good geometry make it feel incredibly planted at top speed.
• App Integration: The ability to tune acceleration and braking strength via the app is a favorite feature for techy riders.
• Low Maintenance: Drum brakes and tubed tires (if kept at pressure) require very little tinkering.
• Water Resistance: IP54 rating gives peace of mind for damp conditions.
• Deck Surface: The rubberized deck is grippy and easy to clean compared to grip tape.

The most consistent praise centers on the ride quality to price ratio. Users frequently comment that the Air 2022 feels like a luxury vehicle compared to the stiff, jarring ride of competitors like the Segway Ninebot Max G30 (which has no suspension). The feeling of "gliding" is the most common descriptor used in forums and reviews.

Community Feedback - Cons

• Weight: At nearly 18 kg, many users feel the "Air" name is misleading; it's heavy to carry.
• Folding Mechanism: Some users find the low-mounted latch stiff to operate and inconvenient to reach.
• Headlight Brightness: While decent for being seen, it's often described as too dim for unlit roads at night.
• Handlebar Width: While great for riding, the wide bars make it hard to fit through narrow doorways or in trunks.
• Valve Stem Access: Inflating the tires can be fiddly due to the motor hub design; an adventurous extender is often needed.
• Kickstand: Some reports of the kickstand being a bit too long, making the scooter stand too upright on uneven ground.
• Speed Locking: New users are often confused by the app requirement to unlock the full speed, finding the initial setup annoying.
• Voltage Sag: Noticeable drop in performance when the battery gets below 30-40%.

The biggest gripe is undoubtedly the weight and portability. Many buyers see "Air" and assume they can toss it over their shoulder. Realizing that 17,6 kg is actually quite a lug is a common "expectation vs. reality" check for new owners. The folding latch also draws ire for being less ergonomic than the simple levers found on other scooters.

Value for Money

Priced around 919 €, the Apollo Air 2022 sits at the upper end of the entry-level market. Is it worth it? If you are comparing strictly on spec-sheet numbers (watts per euro), you might find cheaper Chinese clones that offer higher top speeds or larger batteries for the same price. However, those scooters often come with wobbly stems, nonexistent customer support, and harsh rides.

The value in the Apollo Air 2022 comes from the refinement and support. You are paying for a scooter that has been engineered, not just assembled. You are paying for the suspension that saves your back, the app that lets you customize your ride, and the peace of mind that comes with a reputable brand. For a daily vehicle that you rely on to get to work, that reliability and comfort are worth the premium. It holds its value well in the resale market compared to generic brands, which is another factor to consider.

If your budget is tight, 900+ € is a lot of money. But if you can stretch to it, the jump in quality from a 500 € scooter to the Apollo Air is massive. It is an investment in a better daily experience, not just a purchase of hardware.

About the Brand

Apollo is a Canadian electric scooter company based in Montreal. Since their inception, they have differentiated themselves by moving away from simply rebranding generic scooters to designing their own hardware from the ground up. They position themselves as a "rider-centric" brand, heavily utilizing community feedback to iterate on their designs. This is evident in how the Air 2022 fixed the issues of the 2021 model, and how the subsequent 2023 models addressed the 2022 feedback.

They are well-regarded for their customer service, which is generally superior to buying from a faceless dropshipper. They offer a dedicated app, a decent warranty, and maintain a warehouse for parts in North America (and partners in Europe). The community around Apollo is large and active, meaning if you have a technical issue, there is likely a Reddit thread or Facebook group with the answer. While they have had growing pains-common in this explosive industry-their reputation is that of a premium, innovative brand that actually cares about the riding experience.

Specifications

• Top Speed: 32-35 km/h
• Range (Advertised): 50 km
• Range (Realistic): 30-37 km
• Motor: 500W Single Motor
• Battery: 36V 15Ah (540 Wh)
• Weight: 17,6 kg
• Max Load: 100-120 kg
• Tires: 10-inch Pneumatic (Inner Tube)
• Brakes: Front Drum, Rear Regenerative
• Suspension: Front Dual Fork
• IP Rating: IP54
• Charging Time: 7-9 Hours
• Price: 919 €

Known Alternatives

If the Apollo Air 2022 doesn't quite tick all your boxes, there are several strong competitors in this price and weight class worth considering.

First up is the KAABO Urban series. Kaabo is known for aggressive performance. If the Apollo feels a bit too "polite" for you and you want something with a bit more torque and a rugged feel, Kaabo scooters often offer higher voltage systems for a similar price, though they often lack the refined aesthetic and app integration of the Apollo.

For those who found the "17,6 kg" weight to be a dealbreaker, you must look at the E-TWOW GT SPORT or the E-TWOW GT SL. These scooters are the kings of portability, weighing significantly less (often under 13 kg) while offering similar or even higher top speeds. The trade-off is ride quality; they use solid tires which are much harsher on rough roads than the Apollo's pneumatic setup.

Finally, if you are looking for something with a bit more flair or different specs, the DUALTRON Dolphin is a compact option from the legendary Minimotors brand, known for high build quality. Alternatively, the MUKUTA 10 Lite is a newer entrant that offers excellent value and features, often challenging established brands with competitive specs at a lower price point.