Apollo is set to launch the next iteration of its commuter scooter, the Apollo Explore 2024. Set to release in 2024, the new model has been under development for over two years and continues to develop the new design language established with the Apollo Pro 2023. There are undoubtedly several eye-catching aesthetic upgrades and promising updates to enhance the user experience.
You can check out a walkthrough of the first prototype of the new Apollo Explore below, then read on for all the details.
The biggest new feature of the Explore 2024 is undoubtedly the DualDeck platform. I’ve never seen a scooter with this design, and I am not entirely convinced of its usefulness. Instead of standing on a wide, one-piece baseboard, riders will stand with one foot on separate boards straddling the middle frame, which features a swappable battery. This will force riders to stand parallel on the scooter, facing forward, which Apollo says will “lower the center of gravity” and “improve stability and control.” Still, I can’t help but anticipate a new learning curve. I feel safer riding my scooters in an almost L stance with one foot ahead of the other, not side by side, with my knees slightly bent. This looks to invite an awkward squatting position, but maybe I’ll be proven wrong after riding it.
The DualDeck platform mainly accommodates the other new feature, a hot-swappable battery, which we usually see on electric bikes, not scooters. It does appear to sit flush with the frame and unclicks with the push of a button. If you have a second battery, it will allow you to double your range or bring it inside for a quick top-up while on the go. Just make sure to lock up your scooter securely.
The Explore V1 will feature the same MARCH 1 Controller found on the Apollo Phantom V3 and a built-in GPS for tracking and remote diagnostics. There will also be a new dot-matrix display that promises to be more visible under direct sunlight, but you can also mount your phone to the center console if you prefer with the Quadlock. There are even built-in speakers if you want to add music to your cruises.
One of the new safety features I appreciate is the turn signals on the handlebars. Other Apollo scooters, such as the Apollo City and Phantom V3, have turn signals but only on the back and front of the deck platform. Bright signal lights at the end of the handlebars will be more visible for other drivers on the road, behind or in front of you, to see you coming.
Here’s a quick look at the specs for the Apollo Explore 2024:
- Battery- 52V (416-676 watt hours/pack)
- Motor- Dual 500W
- Range-TBD
- Max Speed- 55 km/h
- Weight- 70lbs
- Battery- 21700 cells
- Tire size- TBD
- Brakes- Dual drum brakes and dedicated
- regenerative braking
As you can see, the range has yet to be determined, but given the size of the battery and the motors, I would ballpark it somewhere around 45km. The tire sizes also haven’t been confirmed, but they will feature the same self-healing technology to protect against punctures.
You can reserve your Apollo Explore now with a $20 deposit which is set to release in Q2 of 2024. Apollo will be uploading videos of each
prototype version (V1-V5) until the final product launch.