Will I make it from Denver to Leadville?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Denver to Leadville on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: fremont Pass climb uses 20%.
100 miles, about 1 h 42 min of driving. Leaving at 8 AM on a typical January and July day.
Check your own car and charge level
January and July, car by car
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
January · 15°F
Yes
Arrives with 17–35%
Fremont Pass climb uses 20%
July · 52°F
Yes
Arrives with 35–46%
Fremont Pass climb uses 20%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 15°F
Yes
Arrives with 19–36%
Fremont Pass climb uses 20%
July · 52°F
Yes
Arrives with 37–47%
Fremont Pass climb uses 20%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 15°F
Yes
Arrives with 15–34%
Fremont Pass climb uses 20%
July · 52°F
Yes
Arrives with 33–45%
Fremont Pass climb uses 20%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 15°F
Yes
Arrives with 19–37%
Fremont Pass climb uses 18%
July · 52°F
Yes
Arrives with 36–48%
Fremont Pass climb uses 18%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 15°F
Yes
Arrives with 14–33%
Fremont Pass climb uses 19%
July · 52°F
Yes
Arrives with 32–44%
Fremont Pass climb uses 19%
Yes means the low end of the range still arrives with 10% or more. Close means the likely answer does, but a colder or windier day might not. No means you'll need to stop.
Best fast-charging stops on the way
- Marketplace at Bergen Park (Evergreen, CO) — Evergreen, CO · Electrify America · mile 22 · up to 350 kW
- VOLVO CAR USA SILVERTHORN PL3 — Silverthorne, CO · ChargePoint · mile 67 · up to 200 kW
- Walmart 986 (Frisco, CO) — Frisco, CO · Electrify America · mile 70 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Denver to Leadville in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 100-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 15°F.
Where should I charge between Denver and Leadville?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Marketplace at Bergen Park (Evergreen, CO) (mile 22); VOLVO CAR USA SILVERTHORN PL3 (mile 67); Walmart 986 (Frisco, CO) (mile 70). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Denver and Leadville use?
In a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the Fremont Pass climb uses about 20% of the battery on a January day. Coming down gives some of it back through regenerative braking, but not all of it.
What is the best EV for Denver to Leadville?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 29% (19–36%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 43%.
How we work this out
Each answer drives the real road route in 30-meter steps: speed, climbs and descents (with regenerative braking), rolling resistance, cabin heating or cooling, a cold battery's lower capacity, and the typical wind. Temperatures are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for each place along the way. Every car is calibrated to its EPA highway rating. Each car starts at 90%.
Updated . Sources: Stadia Maps road routes and elevation, NOAA climate normals, fueleconomy.gov, and the U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.