8TEV B10 Classic vs APOLLO Air 2022 - Two "Premium" Commuters, One Real-World Winner

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The Apollo Air 2022 walks away as the more complete commuter scooter: it rides softer, goes noticeably further on a charge, and feels better sorted as a daily tool, even if it's not exactly "Air" to carry. The 8TEV B10 Classic counters with gorgeous materials, excellent wet-weather protection, and a very planted, "skatey" feel, but you pay more and get less practical performance in return.

Choose the Apollo Air 2022 if your priority is comfort, usable range and day-in, day-out commuting with minimal drama. Go for the 8TEV B10 Classic if you care more about craftsmanship, water protection and that wooden-deck character than about squeezing maximum kilometres and value from your budget.

Both will get you to work; how you want to feel along the way is the real decider-so let's dig into what living with each one is actually like.

Electric scooters have grown up. We're past the era of wobbly stems, toy-grade brakes and tyres that looked allergic to rain. In the middle of this maturing landscape sit two "premium commuter" contenders that aim to be better than the usual rental-clone fodder, without going full mad-scientist with twin motors and motocross forks.

On one side, the 8TEV B10 Classic: chromoly frame, maple deck, boutique price, and a vibe that says "custom longboard with a motor". On the other, the Apollo Air 2022: Canadian-designed, chunky single-cast frame, suspension up front and a comfort-first take on urban mobility.

They target similar riders with very different philosophies. I've put plenty of kilometres on both over battered city tarmac, wet bike paths and the occasional cobbled "shortcut" that felt like a mistake halfway through. Here's how they actually compare when the spec sheet stops mattering and the pavement starts shaking.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both scooters live in the "premium single-motor commuter" zone: fast enough to feel like a legitimate vehicle, not so wild that you need body armour. They sit in that awkward middle ground where you're spending real money but still expecting practicality, not just bragging rights.

The 8TEV B10 Classic is pitched as a design object for urban riders who appreciate materials and mechanical "honesty": steel, wood, simple components, and a strong nod to bike-world heritage. It's for people who want something that looks and feels different from the usual generic aluminium tubes.

The Apollo Air 2022 is the polished all-rounder: a bit more power, significantly more battery, proper front suspension and a strong emphasis on comfort and app-enabled refinement. It's built for commuters who just want a smooth, predictable ride to work and back with minimal thinking.

They overlap on price enough that you're likely to cross-shop them. One offers character and water confidence; the other offers comfort and range. That trade-off defines this comparison.

Design & Build Quality

In the hand, the two scooters tell very different stories.

The 8TEV B10 Classic leans hard into "bicycle and skate culture" roots. The chromoly steel frame feels dense and solid, more like a quality steel bike than a hollow e-scooter. The maple deck with a carbon layer has real visual warmth-people genuinely stop and ask about it. Welds look purposeful rather than dainty, and the cast alloy wheels feel overbuilt for the modest motor they're carrying.

The Apollo Air 2022, by contrast, is unapologetically modern: a thick, single-cast-looking aluminium chassis, integrated cables, and a dark, techy aesthetic. Nothing screams for attention, but nothing looks cheap either. The rubberised deck is very practical-wipe and go, no shredded grip tape after a wet autumn.

Fit and finish are good on both, but in different ways. The 8TEV has that "boutique small-batch" charm; you can almost see the design decisions in each tube and bracket. The Apollo feels more industrially refined: tolerances are tight, the stem is rock-solid, and the overall impression is of a product that went through several CAD revisions and focus groups.

In the flesh, the B10 looks more special, but the Air feels more purpose-built as a commuter appliance. Whether that's a compliment or an insult depends on your personality.

Ride Comfort & Handling

This is where the philosophies really part ways.

The B10 Classic runs with no mechanical suspension, relying instead on its big pneumatic tyres and that flexy maple deck to take the edge off. On decent tarmac and smooth bike paths, it works surprisingly well: the deck has just enough give to blur out the high-frequency buzz, and the steering geometry is dialled-in enough that you can carve corners in a very surfy, satisfying way. It's stable at speed and never feels twitchy.

Throw it at broken asphalt or old cobblestones, though, and you're reminded that there are no shocks hiding anywhere. After a few kilometres of truly rough surfaces, you start to feel it in your knees and wrists. It's not torture, but you won't mistake it for a magic carpet.

The Apollo Air 2022, meanwhile, absolutely leans into comfort. The front dual-fork suspension plus 10-inch air tyres soak up the kind of everyday abuse-expansion joints, patched-up tarmac, shallow potholes-that make cheaper scooters feel like gym equipment. You can roll over urban scars that would have you instinctively bracing on the B10, and on the Air... you just keep chatting to your podcast.

Handling-wise, the wider bars on the Air give a lot of leverage and stability. Quick lane changes, dodging pedestrians, and threading through mild traffic feel natural and low-stress. It's less "carvy" and more "calm and planted" than the 8TEV. The B10 is a bit more playful; the Apollo is more relaxed and confidence-inspiring over long rides.

If your daily route is mostly nice pavement with the odd rough patch, the B10's deck flex and geometry make it fun. If your council forgot how to maintain roads sometime around 2012, the Apollo's suspension will have your joints sending thank-you cards.

Performance

On paper, the motors look like they belong to different weight classes, and on the road you can feel it.

The 8TEV runs a modestly rated motor on a higher-voltage system. Off the line, it doesn't leap; there's a deliberate softness to the initial throttle that feels like the controller is double-checking your intentions before committing power. Once rolling, acceleration builds smoothly and the scooter settles into its cruise with a reassuring, planted feel. Top speed is on the friskier side of typical single-motor commuters, and the chassis feels absolutely comfortable there-no nervous wobbles, no death grip required.

The Apollo Air's motor simply has more shove. From the first few metres, there's a noticeable extra punch-enough to clear junctions briskly and stay in the flow of city traffic, without feeling like it's trying to yank the bar out of your hands. Throttle mapping is nicely progressive; you can creep through tight gaps without herky-jerkiness, but when you push, it responds readily.

On hills, the difference widens. The B10 will do city-grade inclines respectably if you carry some speed in, but it's a momentum machine: lose speed on a steeper section, and it starts to feel a bit laboured. The Apollo Air climbs the same hills with noticeably more authority, maintaining more of its pace, especially for average-weight riders. Heavier riders will still slow on steeper slopes, but the Air hangs on longer before feeling out of breath.

Braking also reflects their different approaches. The B10's dual mechanical discs from a reputable bike brand give good, predictable stopping power with a very analogue feel. Modulation is easy, and with some mechanical sympathy they'll serve you well. The Apollo combines a front drum with rear regenerative braking. In practice, most slowing can be done with the regen lever, which feels impressively smooth; the drum is there when you need more bite. Braking on the Air feels very controlled and low-maintenance, even in the wet.

Overall: the B10 is pleasantly capable but never thrilling; the Apollo Air feels livelier without crossing into "sketchy". For commuting, the extra torque and hill confidence of the Air are hard to ignore.

Battery & Range

This one is more straightforward-and less flattering for the 8TEV.

The B10 Classic's battery is on the smaller side for its price class. In real use, you're looking at what I'd call "short-to-medium commute" territory: perfectly fine for inner-city hops, office runs and the odd detour, but it's not a scooter that begs for all-day exploring unless your loop is modest. Push it hard in top mode or add hills and heavier riders, and your comfortable window shrinks accordingly.

The Apollo Air 2022 carries a substantially larger pack. In the real world, you can stretch a day's worth of typical commuting-plus errands and some "just because" detours-without babying the throttle. Even riding in its sportier mode, a typical urban rider can cover a noticeably longer distance than on the B10 before the range anxiety gremlin starts whispering.

Both take the better part of a workday or overnight to recharge. The Air, with its bigger battery, naturally takes longer from empty, but that's the trade: more watt-hours in, more kilometres out. Voltage sag on the Apollo as the battery gets low means you'll feel some softening of performance towards the end of the pack, whereas the 8TEV's higher-voltage system does a decent job of keeping performance more consistent deeper into the discharge-though over fewer total kilometres.

If your round trip is comfortably within the B10's realistic range, you'll be fine. If your daily use pattern is more "I don't want to think about charging for a couple of days", the Apollo Air is the more relaxed ownership proposition.

Portability & Practicality

On the scales, they're very close; in the hand, the differences are more about shape and details than raw weight.

The B10 Classic sits in that "you can carry it, but you won't enjoy it for long" category. One flight of stairs or lifting into a car boot is manageable; lugging it through a shopping centre is more of a workout. The folding mechanism is pleasantly straightforward and, crucially, locks up with very little stem play when riding. Its folded footprint is relatively compact for something with a wide wooden deck, and stashing it under a desk or in a hallway is reasonable.

The Apollo Air 2022 is a touch heavier and feels it when you're carrying it for more than a few moments. The non-folding handlebars also mean the folded package is broader, which makes it more awkward on crowded trains or in tight storage spots. The low-set latch is secure but not the quickest to operate, and you do have to stoop to use it.

Neither is in true "ultra-portable" territory. If you need something to constantly fold, carry, and stash in cramped spaces, both will feel like overkill. Measured purely as "how annoying is this to live with day to day?", the B10's slightly more compact folded shape helps, while the Apollo feels more like a scooter you roll everywhere and only occasionally carry.

Safety

Safety is one area where both scooters make a commendable effort, albeit with different emphases.

The 8TEV B10 Classic wins big on wet-weather robustness. An impressively high water-resistance rating is rare in this segment and gives real peace of mind if you live somewhere with a weather forecast that mostly says "yes, it will rain". Electronics and battery are well protected, and the integrated fender-mounted lights give decent peripheral visibility. Dual disc brakes provide solid stopping power, and the well-sorted steering geometry keeps things calm at its top speeds.

The Apollo Air 2022 leans more on active safety while riding. The ride stability from the wide bars and suspension, combined with the large tyres, makes it less likely to be upset by potholes, manhole covers and tram tracks-all the real-world hazards that actually send riders off. The hybrid braking setup (drum plus refined regen) excels at predictable deceleration without drama or locking up. Lighting is competent, though the headlight won't win awards for punch on dark country paths; city riders will mostly be seen rather than seeing.

In heavy rain, I'd rather plug away on the 8TEV; it's built with that in mind. In mixed, imperfect city conditions, especially for less experienced riders, the Apollo's calmer, cushier chassis and forgiving brakes feel like the safer overall package.

Community Feedback

Price & Value

Here's where things get uncomfortable for the 8TEV B10 Classic.

It sits at a noticeably higher price point than the Apollo Air 2022 while offering less motor power, less battery capacity and no mechanical suspension. What you're paying for is the boutique frame, higher water resistance, and a very particular design aesthetic and material choice. If you value those highly, it can be justified, but you're definitely swimming against the current of "value per euro".

The Apollo, by comparison, feels fairly placed: not cheap, but the combination of ride comfort, practical range, app features and overall refinement matches its asking price much more closely. Measured purely in "how much commuter you get for your budget", the Air is the stronger proposition. The B10 is more of a connoisseur's choice: you have to actively want what it's offering, because the raw numbers don't make the argument for you.

Service & Parts Availability

Both brands have reasonably good reputations in the community, which already puts them ahead of the nameless import crowd.

8TEV, being smaller and more boutique, tends to deliver a very personal level of support, especially in its core markets. Owners often mention individual staff by name, which tells you a lot. The upside is a feeling of being looked after; the downside is that parts and service networks can be thinner once you're outside their strongest regions. The silver lining: many components are standard bike parts, so any competent bike mechanic can help with brakes and tyres.

Apollo operates at a larger scale with established logistics for parts, particularly in North America, and partnerships in Europe. Their app ecosystem and documentation are reasonably mature, and there's a healthy online community sharing fixes and tweaks. Service experiences can vary-as they do with any fast-growing brand-but overall availability of spares and how-to knowledge is good.

If you're mechanically inclined or have a trusted local bike shop, the 8TEV is easy to keep going. If you prefer a more "official" support pipeline and a bigger user base to lean on, Apollo has the edge.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

Stepping back from the tables and the acronyms, this is how it shakes out in real life.

The Apollo Air 2022 is simply the more rounded commuter. It accelerates better, climbs better, goes further, and makes bad roads feel less bad. If your scooter is primarily a tool to get you reliably and comfortably from home to work and back, day after day, the Air does that job with less compromise and for a noticeably lower price. You may curse it a little on staircases, but you'll bless it every time you float over a broken section of tarmac.

The 8TEV B10 Classic is harder to recommend broadly. It looks great, feels solid, and its wet-weather credentials are genuinely impressive. The ride has a certain analogue charm, especially if you come from bikes or boards and care about frame feel. But when you line up what you pay against what you get in power, range and comfort, you need to be actively in love with its design and water resistance to justify it over the Apollo.

If you're the sort of rider who values beautiful hardware, expects regular rain and has a short, civilised commute on decent surfaces, the B10 can still make sense as a stylish, durable companion. For almost everyone else-particularly new riders and longer-range commuters-the Apollo Air 2022 is the more sensible, less compromised choice.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics break down how efficiently each scooter uses your money, its weight and its energy. Price-per-Wh and price-per-km/h show how much you pay for capacity and speed. Weight-based figures indicate how much mass you carry per unit of performance or range. Wh/km reveals how energy-hungry each scooter is in real use. Power-to-speed and weight-to-power show how strong the motor is relative to speed and mass, while charging speed hints at how quickly they refill their batteries for another round.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the 8TEV B10 Classic scores 1 point against the APOLLO Air 2022's 9. In the Author's Category Battle, the 8TEV B10 Classic gets 23 ✅ versus 27 ✅ for APOLLO Air 2022 (with a few ties sprinkled in).

Totals: 8TEV B10 Classic scores 24, APOLLO Air 2022 scores 36.

Based on the scoring, the APOLLO Air 2022 is our overall winner. Between these two, the Apollo Air 2022 is the scooter that feels easier to live with: it's calmer on rough streets, stretches your rides further and quietly fades into the background as a dependable daily companion. The 8TEV B10 Classic has charm and character, but you have to want that personality enough to look past its shorter legs and firmer manners. If I were handing a key (or rather, a thumb throttle) to a typical city rider and saying "this is your new way to get to work", it would go to the Apollo. The B10 is the one you choose with your heart; the Air is the one that keeps your body and wallet happier over time.

That's our verdict when we try to stay objective – but hey, riding is mostly about emotions anyway, so pick the one that will make you look forward to your commute every single day.