To EV …or not to EV. For many, that is the question.
There was a time, not terribly long ago, when driving an electric vehicle required at least a little bravery.
Drivers worried about range. They worried about chargers. They worried about whether they might find themselves stranded somewhere between civilization and the next available plug. Early EV ownership often felt a bit like aviation in the barnstorming era: exciting, promising and occasionally dependent on luck.
But after spending time behind the wheel of the refreshed 2026 Chevrolet Bolt EV around northeast Denver and the growing development corridors near Denver International Airport, one thing became crystal clear:
The EV future is no longer coming. It is already parked outside Starbucks.
During several days of driving the Bolt through Denver side streets, Interstate 70 corridors and the sprawling Tower Road and Central Park Boulevard commercial districts, charging stations seemed to appear almost everywhere I looked. Besides Starbucks, fast chargers (DC chargers) were located at QuikTrip stores, Sprouts markets, Chipotle restaurants and even near the always-packed In-N-Out Burger locations.
For consumers still nervous about buying an EV because they fear charging availability, those worries increasingly feel outdated.
I have been somewhat of a pioneer with modern electric vehicles. Having personally-owned or leased eight electric vehicles since 2021, including six battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and two plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), I can honestly say I have never struggled to find a place to charge. I respect the arguments against EVs. Yet those don’t stop my electric vehicle preferential nature.
I think the biggest problem EVs have had is politicians telling consumers what kind of car they have to buy. Governor Polis’s first of hundreds of executive orders called on Colorado to adopt California zero vehicle emission standards. He did so without any consultation within the industry or the public after taking office. In my opinion, the difficult selection of the next new car should be a consumer choice. Not one dictated by one (or more) government officials.
Chevroletap compact Bolt EV fits beautifully into the evolving electric vehicle landscape.
The Bolt remains one of the most affordable fully electric vehicles available in America, carrying a base price of $31,600, while my test vehicle stickered at $35,725. Yet despite its approachable price, the little Chevrolet packs a surprisingly sophisticated portfolio of technology, safety and daily usability.
Translation? This thing sips electrons like a hummingbird sampling nectar.
More importantly, the Bolt feels lively in real-world driving. Electric vehicles deliver their torque instantly, and the Bolt responds immediately when pulling away from stoplights or merging into highway traffic. Chevrolet estimates the Bolt can sprint from 0-to-60 mph in roughly 6.5 seconds, giving it acceleration that feels surprisingly energetic for a compact commuter-focused EV.
Inside, Chevrolet has done a commendable job modernizing the cabin experience.
An 11.3-inch advanced color touchscreen with Google built-in anchors the dashboard, while an 11-inch driver information display delivers crisp digital instrumentation directly ahead of the steering wheel. Heated and ventilated front seats, an eight-way power driver seat, heated steering wheel and multicolor ambient lighting elevate the cabin beyond what many buyers might expect in this price category.
Exterior styling remains clean and contemporary without venturing into science-fiction territory. LED lighting front and rear, glass-black roof rails and 17-inch gloss-black aluminum wheels give the Bolt a sporty, youthful demeanor without trying too hard to scream, “Look at me, I’m electric!”
One especially nostalgic stop during my test drive included a visit to the Cracker Barrel restaurant near Central Park Boulevard, where I had once been customer Number One (#1) on opening day last year. The Bolt posed comfortably in front of the restaurant for photos, symbolically bridging old Americana roadside culture with the emerging realities of electric transportation.
That contrast may ultimately define the Chevrolet Bolt EV best.
This is not an exotic six-figure Silicon Valley experiment. It is not a rolling technology demonstration for the wealthy elite. It is an attainable, practical, everyday electric vehicle designed for ordinary Americans navigating ordinary lives. And in 2026, that may be exactly what the market needs most.
Saturday Drive Specs
Vehicle: 2026 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Powertrain: Electric motor / 60-kWh battery
Drive Layout: Front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 200 hp
Torque: 266 lb-ft
0–60 mph: Approximately 6.5 seconds
EPA Fuel Economy (MPGe): 120 city / 109 highway / 115 combined MPGe
Range: Approximately 259 miles
Charging: DC Fast Charging up to 150 kW
Wheels: 17-inch gloss-black aluminum wheels
Email: timwjacksoncae@gmail.com
Phone: 303-667-3995
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this postap preparation.
