Mountain Hardware: Testing the 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV on a High-Country Day Trip
Colorado, with its high-altitude terrain and winding mountain passes, presents a unique challenge for electric vehicles (EVs). As the state takes steps to adopt California’s EV mandate, it’s worth noting the additional variable that impacts road trips here: altitude.
With some of the highest sections of the U.S. Interstate highway system—reaching elevations above 11,000 feet—Colorado’s steep grades can test even the most capable EVs. Despite modern EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt EV offering over 200 miles of EPA-estimated range, range anxiety remains a consideration, especially when climbing thousands of feet into the Rockies.
The Goal: A High-Altitude Day Trip
To put the 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV to the test, I embarked on a lunch trip from Denver to Frisco, Colorado—a 72-mile journey to my favorite Whole Foods, famous for its high-elevation location (9,097 feet above sea level) and a delicious buffet featuring kale and quinoa.
The trip promised to challenge the Bolt’s battery performance, as it required crossing the Continental Divide via the Eisenhower Tunnel, situated at an elevation of 11,150 feet.
The Journey: Denver to Frisco
I began the trip in a 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV, fully charged, with the display showing 203 miles of range. Outside temperatures hovered below 30°F, so I set the climate control to 72°F and turned on the seat and steering wheel heaters. After a quick top-off at a local charging station, I hit the highway, opting for the Bolt’s “Low” driving mode.
While one-pedal driving wasn’t practical at high speeds, the regen paddle behind the left steering wheel spoke proved handy for managing energy regeneration during the ups and downs of the foothills.
The real challenge began with the climb to the Eisenhower Tunnel. By the time I reached the tunnel’s summit, the Bolt’s range had dropped significantly, showing just 103 miles remaining. However, as I descended into Frisco, the regenerative braking system worked its magic, recapturing energy and adding 20 miles back to the range.
I arrived at Whole Foods in Frisco after driving 71 miles, with 119 miles of range remaining. I’d used 84 miles of range in total, but turning off the climate control about 25 miles into the trip helped conserve energy.
The Return Trip: Frisco to Denver
After enjoying my meal and marveling at the surrounding mountain views, I prepared for the return journey to Denver. With 87 miles of estimated range left and a 65-mile trip ahead, I bypassed a Level 2 charger at the Whole Foods parking lot, confident I could make it back without recharging.
The uphill climb back to the tunnel was steep and energy-intensive, but the downhill run into Denver proved to be a range-recovery boon. By the time I reached Golden, just west of Denver, the Bolt had regenerated enough energy to show an estimated 130 miles of range—43 miles more than I had when I started the descent.
Performance Highlights
The Bolt handled the journey with small-car agility, although it was somewhat noisy at highway speeds, and the narrow, low-rolling-resistance tires made it feel less stable than larger vehicles. The seats were adequate for the trip, though opinions on comfort may vary.
Inside, the 10.2-inch infotainment screen offered Apple CarPlay compatibility, but it struggled with glare in bright light. The light gray carpet in the test vehicle was not ideal for Colorado’s wintry conditions.
Efficiency Insights
After completing the 144-mile round trip, the Bolt’s display still showed one bar below half charge and an impressive 130 miles of range remaining. The efficiency history screen revealed that the Bolt achieved peaks of 16 miles per kWh during the downhill portions of the trip—testament to its strong regenerative braking capabilities.
Conclusion
The 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV proved more than capable of handling the challenges of Colorado’s high-altitude terrain. With careful driving and energy management, the Bolt delivered an impressive balance of range and performance, making it a solid option for mountain adventures in the EV era.