There are at least two more variables that will change your scenario: outside air temperature and set temperature.

The Volt's A/C is very sophisticated and highly variable - in Comfort when first starting out with a hot cabin, it can draw over 5kW from the battery. However, even at 110F I've found that after 15 minutes it's down to around 1.5kW. And Comfort with a set temp that is close to the outside temp can have virtually no impact at all (a few watts to run the fan at low speed.)

If the outside temp is high enough, the Volt will use the A/C to cool the battery, which will result in temporary surges of cool air out of the vents even in fan only.

It'd be interesting information to have, but the matrix to get meaningful answers out of it is pretty complex...

 

 

Please don't cite this clip. This is only their first attempt at it - they make things more precise in the revisit. I don't get why I can find this clip but not the revisit, though. :/

[edit] Found it! Skip to 1:40. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-9WdYL_Zjs&t=1m40s
[edit 2] Oh, I see why they don't post that clip. They just draw a graph; nothing interesting happens. (They may have screwed up the graph too - I think the additional drag would grow faster than linear with speed, not slower - more like a 'J' than an 'r'. :/ )

 

Huh. I wouldn't have thought. I guess I'll run my A/C a little more often!

 

I'll go with Walter. It's very complex. Driving a brick of an SUV that gets 11 MPG isn't going to tell you anything about a Volt.

 

In a Volt, aerodynamics is even more critical than in other cars, such as a large SUV in the Mythbusters test. Putting the windows down at anything above 30-40 MPH will create more drag than running the a/c. Moreover, the Volt has to run the a/c when it is hot in order to cool the battery. There is much obsessing on this issue. Just put it in comfort on auto, set the temperature where you like it, and enjoy the ride.

 

I find that I still get 50 mile range when commuting when I use eco mode AC. System is very efficient. I think the fact that using AC is also keeping the battery at optimal temp improves EV efficiency.

 

I typically have the windows open below about 35 mph and 80 degrees. Anything faster you get serious buffeting, and I'm sure it's more efficient with the A/C. Anything over 80 degrees and I find it much more comfortable to use the A/C.