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Several years ago the team at Canada’s premier electric scooter company Apollo decided that they weren’t just going to sell off-the-shelf scooters. Instead, they were going to innovate with new designs and custom development to create unique and high performance scooters. After multiple launches of progressively more customized scooters, it feels like the new Apollo Pro has reached the pinnacle of that design ethos.

The Apollo Pro is fast and powerful, there’s no doubt about that. But there’s so much more to this scooter than sheer watts. It’s easy to pump more power into a scooter these days, but designing for ease of use and comfortable handling takes a much more refined design process.

That’s exactly what the team at Apollo has done with the new Apollo Pro, which launches for orders today.

To see what I mean, check out my video review below. Then keep reading for my full thoughts on this impressive electric scooter.

Apollo Pro Video Review

Where do I even start?

There’s so much going on here with the Apollo Pro that I don’t even know where to start.

The scooter itself is a ground up design, meaning you won’t find many off-the-shelf parts. The performance is good, don’t get me wrong, but the real story here is the design and the features.

But since everyone loves to compare specs, let’s start there.

With dual motors, the Apollo Pro is rated for speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph), though I clocked it at around 75 km/h (46 mph) on flat ground in highest speed mode (LUDO mode). Underpromise and overdeliver, that’s what I like to see.

The 52V 30Ah battery offers 1,560 Wh of capacity or enough juice for around 100 km (62 miles) of range. In other words, there’s more range here than most average riders should ever need, but that also means that fast riders won’t find the scooter running empty too quickly, either.

The dual 12″ wheels are fairly large for a standing scooter and use a self-healing tire design to help prevent flats. They’re also supported by fairly plush suspension giving the bike a planted yet comfortable feel.

apollo pro electric scooter

Each wheel wears drum brakes which results in maintenance free braking that works rain or shine (the sealed drum brakes basically work forever), but you probably won’t need them. That’s because the regenerative braking is strong and effective, especially if you plan in advance to begin braking a second or two before you’d normally engage mechanical brakes. You can almost entirely rely on the regenerative braking using the second thumb throttle (left side of the bars) that is actually not a throttle at all but rather a variable regen switch.

It took me a bit of getting used to since I’m so accustomed to reaching for typical brake levers, so don’t be surprised if you keep forgetting to use the regen brake switch in the beginning. But once you get used to it, you’ll never want to go back to normal mechanical brakes.

The built-in display on the scooter is rather primitive as a dot matrix display, but at least is super bright and readable in direct sunlight. But the scooter’s app is designed to be the main display, working together with a quad-lock system to mount on the scooter’s bars and also charge your phone wirelessly. I don’t have a quad-lock case so I just used the Apollo phone mount, which is actually quite nice, too, with its all-metal construction. Using the app will give you much more detailed info than the dot matrix display, plus it allows you to take advantage of advanced features like GPS tracking, ride recording, customizable scooter settings and more.

The Apollo Pro also includes 360 degree wraparound LED lighting that is quite well implemented. We’ve seen scooters that go over the top with LEDs that turn them into a Floyd Laser Show, but this isn’t that.

The Apollo team used a moderate touch to give bright, visible wraparound lighting without risking giving anyone rainbow seizures.

The scooter’s bright white LED bars will have you scooting on a cloud of light at night, which then turns into a bright red cloud when you engage the brakes. No one will ever miss that you are there or that you are braking.

But to me, the real secret to the Apollo Pro’s successful design is just how good it feels to ride. I’m normally an e-bike guy, as that’s where I feel most comfortable. I love riding scooters and electric unicycles and other assorted micromobility devices, but e-bikes have long been my go to machine.

Even so, the Apollo Pro feels almost as stable and intuitive to me as an e-bike. I don’t know if its the rake angle or the larger wheels or the dialed in suspension or any other of a number of small details that went into the design, but the scooter simply rides damn well. It leans and carves with ease, stands back up in an instant and makes me feel so stable that I almost want to ride handsfree. I tried it and I can’t quite pull it off, but of all the scooters I’ve tried, I think this one is the closest to making me feel comfortable riding no-handed. That’s not a feature, but rather may just point to how rock solid the scooter feels.

Bang for a lot of buck

The only real damper on my scooter parade here is the price. At $3,499, this is not a cheap electric scooter by any stretch of the imagination. And it’s competing against many scooters that have even higher power ratings and faster speeds in this price category.

But the Apollo Pro was never meant to compete on power or speed. It’s fast and powerful, don’t get me wrong. But other scooters will best it by a few seconds in acceleration or a couple thousand watts in peak power. What the Apollo Pro does differently is in its design. It’s meant to be a more refined scooter. That’s apparent everywhere from the handling to the interface to the app.

And so if you’re a “more power, please” kind of rider, above all else, then this is not the scooter for you. You can do 60 mph on other scooters at this price. But if you ask me, cruising around at 45 mph is more than enough for me, and to be honest I spent more time in the 30’s than in the 40’s of mph, because I simply don’t feel the need to ride that fast most of the time. It’s great to have the speed and power to do it when I want to, but I’m more worried about a scooter that is convenient and comfortable. In that sense, the Apollo Pro definitely fits the bill.

It won’t compete on bang for your buck, but it’s also not meant to. It’s expensive because it’s designed better and incorporates more proprietary components, from the bulletproof controller to the bar-mounted turn signals for increased visibility and safety.

I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone, but for serious scooter riders that commute daily on their scoots, it’s an amazing upgrade. That’s the kind of rider that Apollo obviously had in mind when they built this thing. The company has other scooters at a fraction of the cost. For its flagship model, Apollo unmistakably went all out to combine the right tech with the best components. And that result can be felt the first time you hop on the scooter.

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Nexamp found a faster way to build solar – it did the utility’s job, too

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Nexamp found a faster way to build solar – it did the utility's job, too

Nexamp just pulled off something that could speed up clean energy deployment across the US – and potentially lower costs for everyone. The Boston-based solar developer just finished building three new solar farms in Maine and Massachusetts. But instead of waiting on the utility to handle all the grid hookup work, Nexamp did it themselves.

That might not sound groundbreaking at first, but in the world of renewable energy, it’s a pretty big deal. Normally, utilities are in charge of any grid upgrades and interconnection work needed before a new solar project can start sending power to homes and businesses. That process can be very slow and expensive.

Nexamp’s new approach, called “self-performance,” flips the script. It lets developers take on some of that work, like ordering and installing equipment, so they don’t have to sit around waiting for the utility to schedule it. That means solar farms can get online faster, which gets clean power to the grid sooner and keeps project costs in check.

The three projects that kicked off this self-performance effort are:

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  • Hartland Solar – 1.2 MW DC in Hartland, ME
  • Barre Road Solar – 1.3 MW DC in New Braintree, MA
  • Summit Farm Solar – 2.6 MW DC, also in New Braintree

Nexamp didn’t go rogue – they worked closely with Central Maine Power and National Grid on the interconnection designs, safety standards, and technical specs. But by handling the actual procurement and construction, Nexamp had way more control over cost, timing, and supply chain headaches.

“Self-performance lets us take much greater control over interconnection procurement and construction,” said Daniel Passarello, Nexamp’s lead consulting engineer for grid integration. “We can move much of the interconnection work forward at the same time as the solar farm build instead of treating them as separate. That helps us bring projects online faster and stay closer to budget.”

It also helps that Nexamp already has solid relationships with suppliers. Instead of going through multiple layers of utility procurement, they can go straight to the source, fast.

That kind of streamlining is exactly what the solar industry needs right now. Community solar is booming – as of the end of 2024, nearly 8 gigawatts of it have been installed across the US, according to the the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and that number is expected to almost double by 2030. But bottlenecks in the interconnection process slow things down.

Sara Birmingham, VP of state affairs at SEIA, called Nexamp’s move a step in the right direction. “We must modernize and streamline the interconnection process to keep pace with fast-growing demand,” she said. “Self-performance is one of several innovative approaches that can accelerate project timelines and lower costs, which benefits all ratepayers.”

Read more: Walmart and Nexamp are rolling out 31 solar farms in 5 states


The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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The Genesis GV90 really does have coach doors: Here’s our first look

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The Genesis GV90 really does have coach doors: Here's our first look

When Genesis first previewed its full-size electric SUV, the coach doors were one of the biggest highlights. It looks like it will actually make its way into the production vehicle. A Genesis GV90 model was spotted in the US for the first time with coach doors, offering a glimpse of the upcoming ultra-luxury SUV.

Genesis GV90 spotted with coach doors in California

We got our first look at the full-size luxury SUV after Genesis unveiled the Neolun concept at the NY Auto Show last March.

Genesis said the concept was its “ultra-luxe vision of luxury SUVs,” and it wasn’t kidding. When it arrives, it will be sold as the GV90 as the brand’s new flagship vehicle.

The GV90 is not just a pretty-looking luxury SUV. It’s also loaded with Hyundai’s most advanced software and tech. According to Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis’ head of creative design, “it’s the epitome of timeless design and sophisticated craftsmanship.

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Last month, we got a sneak peek of the interior after a production-ready GV90 was caught in California. Although somewhat toned down from the original concept, the cabin still featured many of the same elements.

Genesis-GV90-coach-doors
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)

Another Genesis GV90 was recently spotted in California, with actual coach doors. The new images from KindelAuto (via TheKoreanCarBlog) show a camouflaged vehicle with a hinge at the rear, where the coach doors will open.

Genesis-GV90-coach-doors
Genesis GV90 with coach doors spotted in California (Source: KindelAuto/ TheKoreanCarBlog)

Genesis said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles, like the GV90. However, don’t expect it to come standard on all models.

The feature will likely be reserved for higher-priced trims. We’ve seen other variants, featuring traditional doors, that are being tested in the US and Korea.

Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. We will learn prices and final specs closer to launch, but the flagship electric SUV is set to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform.

Hyundai said the platform is designed for EVs across all segments and will “provide a 50 percent improvement in driving range” compared to current EVs. It will also support Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities and OTA software updates.

Source: KindelAuto, TheKoreanCarBlog

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Elon Musk on Tesla’s new ‘affordable’ electric car: it’s the Model Y

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Elon Musk on Tesla's new 'affordable' electric car: it's the Model Y

Elon Musk has finally confirmed that Tesla’s new ‘affordable’ electric car is just going to be the Model Y in a cheaper format.

Musk has ended months of speculations and misinformation, which he partly created, about Tesla’s upcoming cheaper electric vehicle model.

Since last year, Tesla has guided “launching new affordable models” in the first half of 2025.

We are past the first half of 2025, but Tesla confirmed yesterday that the “first build” of the new model was produced in June, and it will launch later this year.

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During the shareholders’ call following the earnings results yesterday, Tesla was asked about what the new affordable model would look like. Tesla’s CFO, Vaibhav Taneja, initially stated that they wouldn’t disclose details about the design, but then Musk interrupted him and said, “It’s a Model Y.”

It’s hard to hear exactly on the call because he talked over Taneja, but he said, “the cat is out of the bag” and confirmed that the new vehicle is simply a Model Y.

Electrek has been reporting on this fact all year. We have known for months that Tesla’s upcoming “new affordable models” are Model 3 and Model Y with a stripped-down interior with fewer features, like no rear screen, and cheaper materials:

However, this fact was not accepted in the Tesla community because CEO Elon Musk falsely denied a report last year about Tesla’s “$25,000” EV model being canceled.

The facts are that Musk canceled two cheaper vehicles that Tesla was working on, commonly referred as “the $25,000 Tesla” in early 2024. Those vehicles were codenamed NV91 and NV92, and they were based on the new vehicle platform that Tesla is now reserving for the Cybercab.

Instead, Musk noticed that Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y production lines were starting to be underutilized as the Company faced demand issues. Therefore, Tesla canceled the vehicle programs based on the new platform and decided to build new vehicles on Model 3/Y platform using the same production lines.

Now, only the new Cybercab is going to be based on the new unboxed platform.

During the conference call last night, Musk stated that the primary goal of the more affordable Model Y is to expand the market by making the vehicle more accessible to a broader audience. He suggested that it will go on sale in Q4.

Electrek’s Take

Finally, we can put this to rest. I think we can expect something similar to what Tesla did with the Model 3 in Mexico.

I think we can expect changes, such as using cloth materials instead of vegan leather, no rear display, no ambient lighting, and a lesser audio system.

In the case of the Model Y, Tesla may consider dropping some exterior lighting features, such as the light bars.

I wouldn’t be surprised also to see some powertrain changes. Maybe a less powerful RWD motor.

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