Our review score is based on thorough real-world testing and is always held up against comparable models.
How We TestValues marked with '*' are based on our independent testing and may differ from those specified by the manufacturer.
We’ve tested the Ghost across more than 130 miles and put it through various performance benchmarks to see exactly how good it is. Could this be your next electric scooter? Find out in this hands-on review.
Apollo Scooters had an incredible 2020 that culminated with the anticipated release of a new dual-motor electric scooter - the Apollo Ghost. We've seen them push the electric scooter industry forward in a better direction before with their market-leading 24-month warranty. On paper, it looks like they're doing it again with the introduction of an affordable high-speed scooter set out to compete with the big guys at just $1,599 USD ($1,499 USD on pre-order).
While things may look impressive on paper, we love actual real-world data. That's why we set out to test the Apollo Ghost to discover its capabilities and limits using a pro-grade performance meter.
We tested:
To give you some perspective, we'll hold it up against some of the most popular contenders - the Zero 10X and the more recent Kaabo Mantis 8 Pro. Let's dive right in!
Note: All performance tests are conducted by a 165 lbs (75 kg) rider. You may experience different results based on riding style, battery wear, and rider profile.
The Apollo Ghost belongs to the dual-motor e-scooter family. They’re synonymous with blazing speeds, beefy build quality, and thrilling acceleration. It boasts two nominal-rated 52V 800W BLDC motors. It has a specified top speed of 34 MPH (54.7 KMH), but how does it hold up in our tests?
We charged the Apollo Ghost fully to reach the optimum performance and put it in the maximum speed setting for this test.
We were able to clock an impressive top speed of 36.3 MPH (58.2 KMH), which is more than Apollo Scooters advertises. Furthermore, it edges out the $200 more expensive Zero 10X and the $500 more expensive Kaabo Mantis 8 Pro. This effectively makes it one of the fastest electric scooters I've tested below $2000.
As battery level decreases, performance is bound to follow suit. Some cheaper electric scooters suffer from premature performance drop-off while others perform well until the battery gets very low.
To showcase the Ghost's performance drop-off, we tested the top speed at various battery levels.
The top speed keeps up nicely with only minor drops until you get to about 20% of battery power. This is a testament to the solid battery quality which we have the high-performance Dynavolt cells to thank for. While some scooters start to deteriorate in performance already at 40% battery, the Ghost continues to blaze forward until the tank runs low.
Now to a point where the Apollo Ghost completely blew away my expectations - the acceleration. Below is a visual representation of its acceleration curve from 0-30 MPH.
Following is a closer look at the actual data from 0-15 MPH and from 0-30 MPH.
| Run (#) | Time (s) from 0-15 MPH (0-24 KMH) |
|---|---|
| #1 | 2.67 |
| #2 | 3.19 |
| #3 | 2.61 |
| #4 | 2.80 |
| #5 | 2.76 |
| #6 | 3.08 |
| #7 | 2.66 |
| Avg | 2.82 |
In the fastest speed mode, we averaged 0-15 MPH in just 2.82 seconds over seven separate runs. The fastest run was 2.66 seconds.
| Run (#) | Time (s) from 0-30 MPH (0-48.3 KMH) |
|---|---|
| #1 | 9.77 |
| #2 | 8.98 |
| #3 | 9.56 |
| #4 | 9.01 |
| #5 | 8.80 |
| Avg | 9.22 |
In the fatest speed mode, we averaged 0-30 MPH in just 9.22 seconds over five separate runs. The fastest run was 8.8 seconds.
These are very impressive numbers, but how does it compare to other popular dual-motor electric scooters?
It easily beats both the Mantis 8 Pro and Zero 10X with a comfortable margin. It makes sense that it beats the Mantis since it’s a lower voltage battery and motor setup but I was surprised to see it beat the 10X which is powered by two 1000W motors. But like I’ve tested with both the Apollo Light and Explore, their motors seem to be highly efficient at their given wattage. In its price class, the Ghost hands down offers the best acceleration.
Looking at the acceleration data, we can see that the initial pull is incredible, and as it gets to about 20 MPH, the curve starts to even out gradually. Above 30 MPH, it slowly climbed towards a top speed of 36.3 MPH, which took 26.2 seconds to reach.
I tested the Apollo Ghost on various steep inclines to determine its hill climb ability. It's fair to say I was impressed. The official max incline is specified at 25 degrees by Apollo, and this aligns pretty well with my findings.
I tried all the steepest hills in my area (up to 20 degrees), and this electric scooter handled it with ease. It comfortably eats any hills you throw in front of it and even performs better than multiple higher-priced models thanks to its extremely strong initial acceleration.
High-voltage dual-motor systems can quickly eat their way through a full charge, so a quality battery with a large capacity is really important if you want some serious range to go with your powerful ride.
The Apollo Ghost has a 52V 18.2 Ah battery pack fitted with Dynavolt cells, as we see it across the entire Apollo line-up. This translates to an effective battery capacity of 946 Watthours. It’s actually the exact same battery setup as you’ll find on the $300 cheaper Apollo Explore but that scooter doesn’t compare power-wise.
In terms of how much battery capacity you get for your money, the Apollo Ghost outperforms its closest dual-motor competitors by a solid margin.
More important than anything is how efficient the battery consumption is and what the real-world range looks like. I ran the battery dry from a full charge three times at various speeds to see exactly what you can expect from the Ghost.
| Run | Avg Speed | Range |
|---|---|---|
| #1 (Speed Priority) | 27.6 MPH 44.4 KMH | 20.3 miles 32.7 km |
| #2 (Regular Speed) | 21.1 MPH 34 KMH | 27.3 miles 43.9 km |
| #3 (Range Priority) | 14.6 MPH 23.5 KMH | 32.2 miles 51.8 km |
When riding aggressively, I was able to get a range of 20.3 miles. At a more controlled average speed of 21.1 MPH, which is what I'd consider the most accurate real-world reading if you're cruising about, I got 27.3 miles of range. Lastly, I tried to ride it conservatively to maximize the range which gave me a whopping 32.2 miles of range.
In comparison, this is extremely close to the results you can expect from the Zero 10X as they have the same battery capacity of 946 Wh. The Mantis 8 Pro does beat both with about 15% in terms of range with its larger 1,176 Wh battery capacity, but that's also a more costly option.
When putting the tested range (run #2) up against the two other electric scooters, we found that the Apollo Ghost offers the most real-world range for your money out of the three.
Even though the range may not be the Apollo Ghost’s main selling point, it still edges the closest related competitors which I find really impressive since its retail price is notably lower. The value is hands-down some of the best you get at this price.
One of the drawbacks of getting a dual-motor scooter is that it often suffers in portability. As with most things, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Every buying decision has its pros and cons.
The Apollo Ghost officially weighs 64 pounds (29 kg), but I measured it to 66.1 lbs (30 kg), so it certainly isn’t light, but compared to other dual-motor options, it sits nicely at the rather low end of the weight spectrum. Giving it the benefit of the doubt, here's how it stacks up against other popular dual-motor options.
There are a handful of lighter options like the Dualtron Raptor 2, Speedway V, and Mercane MX60, but most of these scooters come at a much higher price. Most interestingly, it’s more than 10 pounds lighter than the 10X.
The Apollo Ghost folds together at the stem and handlebars, which makes it easier to both carry or fit into a trunk. I like the foldable handlebar design made by Xtasy because it doesn’t wobble at all, but because there are so many components fitted onto the handlebars, it cannot be folded that much. Still, I'm a big fan of this mechanism as it effectively eliminates wobbles and loosening due to vibrations, which is commonly seen on many other models.
The stem folding is quite similar to most dual-motor scooters. You’ve got two levers hugging the stem tightly to ensure it stays in place. The stem can be secured to the deck for easy carrying.
You should most likely not buy a dual-motor scooter for its portability, but it’s nice to see the Ghost fitting into a pretty compact size, considering the power it’s packing. It does have a fairly long wheelbase of 50.5 inches, so that’s worth noting if you have a small trunk.
The whole ordeal measures 50" x 50.5" x 9.3" (127 cm x 128 cm x 24 cm) when upright and 21" x 50.5" x 9.3" (53 cm x 128 cm x 24 cm) when folded together.
A fast ride demands proper suspension to aid in shock absorption so you can cruise along smoothly at high speeds. Poor road conditions are increasingly pronounced at higher speeds, so to alleviate that, it’s important that the scooter dampens road vibrations.
Like most other dual-motor scooters, the Apollo Ghost mitigates shocks using both pneumatic tires and springs. I've heard others describe the Ghost as riding on a cloud, and to a large extent, I have to agree.
The Apollo Ghost makes use of two 10-inch pneumatic rubber tires that greatly improve ride quality. They dampen your ride nicely and are sizable enough to comfortably overcome potholes, small cracks in the road, and the occasional rocks.
They are not off-road tires per se, but they are wide and rugged enough to handle mild terrain and some trail riding, should you encounter it on your journey.
An awesome bonus is that the Ghost has split rims that'll allow you to change inner tubes more conveniently if you ever get a flat. It's the reality of riding on air tires, so it's nice to see Apollo has addressed this issue with a handy solution.
The beefy tires provide 5.6 inches (14.3 cm) of ground clearance. I find this to be very efficient. It allows for plenty of travel potential in the suspension and gives you the ability to easily ride over potholes, bumps, and curbs without worrying about scratching the bottom of the deck.
The tires don't work alone in absorbing shocks. The Apollo Ghost is fitted with thick front and rear springs to dampen the ride further. In reality, they work great at that, but I personally felt they were a little too tight out of the box. However, these springs are adjustable. It can easily be done with an Allen wrench so you can customize the ride to your weight and liking. I personally loosened the suspension up a bit and felt it was more forgiving, but most riders will likely enjoy the performance out of the box.
Out of the box, there was a particular stiffness in the steering when turning. I wasn't immediately able to unleash the full speed of this beast because of this - it simply didn't feel safe. After corresponding back and forth with Apollo, I figured out that it is because the steering has to be worn in with riding. Rightly so, the resistance faded slowly for every mile covered and after about 30 miles, it was completely gone and the steering finally felt great.
It is generally stiffer in turning than what you'll see on single-motor scooters and I believe this was a purposeful decision to keep the scooter from wobbling at high speeds. It definitely alleviates the wobble problem but it is a bummer you have to ride the scooter for an extended amount of time before it feels ready for speed.
According to Apollo, this steering tightness is commonly seen on the Apollo Pro as well and as it's the same design as the Zero 10X, Evolv Pro, Turbowheel Lightning and other popular options, it seems to be something seen across many popular dual-motor scooters.
It should be said that initial tightness may vary from model to model. I am fairly confident I pulled the shortest straw and got a unit with more resistance than the average one will have.
The steering is still reliable and it does eliminate speed wobbles, but it's one of the areas in which the Ghost doesn't hold up to the likes of the Kaabo Mantis 10 and Mantis 8 Pro for that matter.
The Apollo Ghost has a sizable deck that measures 47" by 23" of usable space. It's reminiscent of the deck on the Zero 10 & 10X and the Apollo Explore & Pro. I love the wide deck design because you can stand comfortably in so many different ways and I'm sure bigger riders with large shoe sizes, in particular, will appreciate it.
Part of the deck is rugged with a traditional-style grip tape to keep your feet stable and safe even if the ride starts to vibrate. However, the entire middle is clear of any type of grip tape. While it looks aesthetically pleasing, I would've liked to see Apollo integrate some more grip tape texture with the design on the remainder of the deck so it caters to all kinds of stances and foot sizes better.
Behind the deck and above the rear wheel there is a dedicated footrest which I'm a huge fan of. This practically lets you have one foot on the massive deck and the other on the angled footrest for extra comfort. I found the footrest particularly useful when going at high speeds or braking sharply because it allowed me to shift and distribute my bodyweight much more effectively. All in all, big props for the deck and footrest design.
An often overlooked aspect when choosing an electric scooter is the height there is from the scooter deck to the handlebars. This directly determines how comfortably a ride will be for taller or shorter riders.
Some scooters have adjustable height stems to cater to all people but it's not often seen on dual-motor electric scooters and nor do we have adjustability on the Apollo Ghost - at least not in the typical fashion.
Because of the unique handlebar design, you can actually angle the handlebars slightly depending on your needs but it's only about 2 inches of leeway. The minimum deck-to-handlebar height is 39.8 inches (101 cm) to 42.1 inches (107 cm). This is plenty of height for most tall riders but it still serves riders all the way down to 5'6" (167 cm) comfortably.
Young kids will no doubt have some trouble with the stem height but this type of motor probably isn't intended for them in the first place. All in all, the handlebar height is appropriate for the majority of adults.
With great speed comes big responsibility. It’s no secret that high speeds demand a stronger build. More force and strain are applied to the scooter so it’s paramount that the build alleviates that.
Across the board, the Ghost does so many things right in terms of build quality and safety.
You’ve got a forged aluminum frame that is sturdier than die-cast aluminum and a wobble-free stem when tightened properly. External cables are sealed well in a hard plastic coil which is always superior to the cloth used on scooters like the Zero 10X.
The Ghost has a max load capacity of 300 pounds which should be sufficient for the majority of e-scooter riders and I have no doubts the acceleration will still provide a swift ride at heavy loads.
The Ghost also poses much-needed upgrades to the fenders. They’re a lot thicker and stronger than the ones seen on the previous Apollo models and they’re made from aluminum which gives better durability and it also eliminates any annoying rattling noises that plastic ones are notorious for making.
I’m a little unsure about the positioning of the front mudguard as it seems dirt and debris can still blow up at the front. I’d have preferred if it was angled further back. By the looks of it, this cannot be adjusted manually either.
In terms of safety, the Ghost has two responsive mechanical disc brakes that are tweaked by default at varying strength. Ideally, you want to have 70% strength at the front and 30% at the back and the Ghost seems to match nicely. It makes for safer and more efficient braking with less wheel slipping. Mechanical brakes do not feel as smooth as hydraulic ones like on the Mantis 8 Pro but they’re more expensive so I understand why Apollo went with these. They’re super reliable and get the job done in a heartbeat.
Some people may find them a little too abrupt but it's the kind of braking performance and responsiveness that's needed to tame a beast like this. Great brake setup all in all.
The Ghost meets safety standards with its lighting as well. You’ve got four low-mounted LEDs - two at the front and two at the back. Additionally, the Ghost has really beautiful LED strips along each side of the deck that increases visibility from the side and simply just look great. The headlights could be stronger but this seems to be the case for practically all e-scooters apart from maybe the Emove Cruiser and some of the EVOLV Tour models.
Finally, the Apollo Ghost has an IP54 water resistance rating, which means it has been tested and approved for riding in light rain and on wet surfaces. So many of the dual-motor scooters on the market do not have an IP-rating, so it’s nice to see Apollo going the extra step to ensure their rides hold up in more demanding weather conditions.
The cockpit houses all the things needed for an optimum ride. The Apollo Ghost uses a standard QS-S4 LCD display with a thumb throttle which is seen on a large share of the scooter market. They changed the colors up a bit and added Apollo branding but it works the same as all other QS-S4 displays. It's intuitive and reliable which is why so many brands use it.
Which type of throttle is the best is a never-ending debate. Some swear by thumb throttles while others praise twist-grip ones. The thumb throttle remains the most common type of throttle seen on e-scooters, however. Personally, I actually prefer thumb throttles - possibly because I've grown accustomed to them - but it's important to know that it isn't a black and white debate. One isn't objectively better than the other - it comes down to the preference of the individual.
The Ghost has two flat-palm grips on each handlebar. They're shaped ergonomically for improving grip strength and they're overall made of really nice quality. There is a bit of texture on the outside of the grips which should only serve to secure your hands from slipping even further. They can be turned around (without slipping) to your liking for a personalized ride. Should you prefer to use custom grips, they can easily be taken off and replaced.
If you're familiar with dual-motor electric scooters, the iconic red and yellow button switches on the right handlebar are likely no strangers to you. It's pretty much an industry standard. It's seen across Kaabo, Zero, Dualtron, and a wide range of other brands. Which these buttons, you can control whether you want to utilize one or two motors and whether you want to ride in eco or turbo mode. dual + turbo unleashes the full power but, in turn, churns faster through your battery charge.
An awesome addition is the keylock. Though it feels a little cheap, it works perfectly. It definitely gives you more peace of mind when leaving the scooter unattended though I still recommend you get a strong U-lock (more on e-scooter locks) to use around the skeletal frame in front of the deck for maximum security. Each keylock mechanism is unique, so even if someone with the same setup comes by, they won't be able to unlock yours. Above the keylock, there's a nifty volt-meter that shows you the current of the battery at any given moment. This can be useful in determining how much battery you have left. I found that it'll reach about 58.7 at full charge.
I touched on the folding mechanisms in the portability section, but I wanted to comment on their build quality as well. The Apollo Ghost has a two-swing arm folding setup for the stem which is commonly seen on dual-motor scooters. It's not the easiest or quickest to use but it is effective and keeps stem flex at a minimum. They can be a bit annoying to use in the beginning as you'll have to alternate turns tightening and loosening them to get them to the tightness level you want. There are certainly more efficient stem folding mechanisms out there but this is still one you can count on to do the job.
The folding handlebar mechanism is extremely nice. On some of the single motor Apollo and Zero scooters, the foldable handlebars have to be tightened one by one and they tend to loosen a bit when riding due to road vibrations. This mechanism effectively eliminates that. Again, it's not plug-and-play in the way you see it on the Evolv Tour XL-R or Emove Cruiser, but stability is crucial on these more powerful scooters and if you don't mind spending 10-15 seconds tightening it before riding, you'll have one of the most stable handlebar setups on the market. Because the two handlebars get locked to one another with this design, the flex and wobble are almost non-existent.
As a whole, the Apollo Ghost is an incredibly good electric scooter. The value is pretty much unmatched in its price class and it even outperforms more pricey options in terms of acceleration and top speed. It’s marketed to be the best value dual-motor scooter and I think it’s fair to say that it achieves that.
While range isn’t its main selling point, it holds up surprisingly well to the more expensive 10X and Mantis 8 Pro. It was a little annoying that the steering had to be worn in before the ride felt super smooth, but no scooter is perfect - in this case, the pros greatly outweigh the few cons that there may be. You’re truly getting a premium ride at an affordable price.
The Ghost is for those of you who are looking for a high-performance scooter that can ride with the big guys but don’t necessarily have $2000 or more to spend on a scooter. It’s an extremely exciting introduction to the market. Now it’s time for the other brands to step up their game if they wanna remain competitive which is what the Ghost offers at such a low price.
If you want to see how the Ghost fairs against more popular models, check out this buying guide on the best electric scooters or explore our other electric scooter reviews or the entire e-scooter category.
* These specifications are based on our thorough and accurate data measurements.
| Motors | 2x800W (1600W nominal) 2000W (peak output) |
| Top Speed (Our Tests) | 36.3 MPH (58.4 KMH) |
| Acceleration (Our Tests) | 0-15 MPH = 2.82 seconds 0-30 MPH = 9.22 seconds |
| Max Hill Climb Angle | 25 degrees |
| Battery | Dynavolt ceels Li-ion 52V 18.2Ah |
| Battery Capacity | 946.4 Wh |
| Range (Our Tests) | Speed Priority: 20.3 miles (32.7 km) Regular: 27.3 miles (44 km) Range Priority: 32.2 miles (51.8 km) |
| Weight (Our Tests) | 66.1 lbs (30 kg) |
| Usable Deck Size | 18.5" x 9.1" (47 cm x 23 cm) + footrest |
| Ground Clearance | 5.6" (14.3 cm) |
| Deck to handlebar | Min: 39.8" (101 cm) Max: 42.1" (107 cm) |
| Charging Time | 12 hours (6 hours with two chargers) |
| Tires | 10-inch pneumatic rubber |
| Max Load Weight | 300 lbs (135 kg) |
| Brakes | Front & rear disc brakes + electric re-gen brake |
| Suspension | Front + rear springs |
| Water Resistance | IP54-certification |
| Folded Dimensions | 50.5" x 9.3" x 21" (128 cm x 24 cm x 53 cm) |
| Unfolded Dimensions | 50.5" x 9.3" x 50" (128 cm 24 cm x 127 cm) |
| Display + Throttle | QS-S4 LCD + thumb throttle |
