Green Car Reports “Runs for the Hills” On a Colorado Day Trip With the 2019 Chevy Bolt EV

The State of Colorado has taken many steps to adopt the same EV mandate that California has, and it is a region that grapples with a slightly different monster than some: altitude. Here lies the absolute highest portions of our great nation's interstate highway system, including routes rising past 11,000 feet and with some of the most unforgiving terrain in existence. Even with a large number of cars like our prized Chevy Bolt EV now offering up over 200 miles of EPA-estimated range, the steep lengthy grades here have proven to be quite a challenge.

Well-seasoned contributor Andrew Ganz from esteemed Greencarreports.com blog took on the hearty and high-mountain range roving job of heading from Mile High City Denver to Frisco, up in some of the most unspoiled and scenic country in existence close to the jaw-dropping vistas of the Continental Divide. He set off in a 2019 Chevy Bolt, knowing that the full charge would carry him to his needed destination, but not positive he could make it back without the assistance of a plug-in charge. A DC fast charger will soon take up residence in this gorgeous mountain town, but currently, the only solution is a 240-volt level 2 charger.

After passing through the Eisenhower Tunnel at about 11,150 feet above sea level, Andrew pulled over to eat at Whole Foods, after happily taking advantage of the seat and steering wheel heaters during temperatures that hovered around freezing. As the sun finally began to shine a bit more and the temperature warmed to around 40 degrees, it was now appropriate to shut off the climate control, and 20 miles were immediately added to the estimated range displayed in the instrument cluster. There he enjoyed his meal and the stirring visuals of Lake Dillon, situated near a backdrop of picturesque and tranquil mountains that fueled the mining boom during the town's early days.

The astounding truth about this jaunt is that when he finally rolled up to his house 144 miles later, the Bolt's instrument cluster registered just one bar below a half charge, and a very surprising 130 miles of range to go. During 65 miles driven from the tunnel at the top of the mountains back down to Denver, the Bolt added 43 miles of range. This test was one that all of us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson had our eyes on: as the premise of electric power becomes more and more commonplace, many who are ready to buy the Bolt are wondering how it really performs when the highway miles begin to encompass the daily duty.

This test of the car that took place within a location where incline is an intense factor and being stuck on the side of the road would put a huge damper on the day's productivity really did provide keen insight: the Bolt is absolutely capable of conquering an out-of-town excursion without any “charge jitters.” Come pay us a visit this spring and check out what the future will bring: times are changing fast, and torque and horsepower specs are not going to be left limping along behind!