A solar powered electric car will cross the border from South Africa into Namibia and Botswana later this month‚ in a 4‚160km educational road trip. Engineering students from the University of Johannesburg will be collecting and analyzing data to optimise the performance of the vehicle during the trip‚ which starts on June 18.Mechanical Engineering Science lecturer and the UJ Energy Movement Programme Manager‚ Nickey Janse van Rensburg‚ said in a statement: “The UJ Energy Movement programme was established in 2010 to help promote skills development‚ energy conservation and sustainability through technology innovation. We are really excited to be taking Ilanga II (the solar powered electric vehicle) on its longest trip yet and introducing the programme to our neighbours across Africa”.Team and Technology Manger of the Energy Movement programme‚ Warren Hunter‚ said there are a lot of logistical arrangements behind The 2015 African Solar Drive. “A team of engineers and academics has been involved in the technical planning of this 12-day road trip to make sure operations run as smoothly as possible”.The 2015 African Solar Drive route and lecture dates are as follows: • Tuesday‚ 09 June: Johannesburg (Public Lecture and launch of African Solar Drive) • Thursday‚ 18 June: UJ Solar Lab - Kimberley (Public Lecture) • Friday‚ 19 June: Kimberley – Upington (Public Lecture) • Saturday‚ 20 June: Upington) – Hakskeen Pan – Rietfontein Border Control – Keetmans Hoop • Sunday‚ 21 June: Keetmanshoop – Mariental – Rehoboth • Monday‚ 22 June: Rehoboth – Windhoek (Public Lecture)• Tuesday‚ 23 June: Windhoek– Swakopmund – Walvis Bay • Wednesday‚ 24 June: Walvis Bay – Swakopmund • Thursday‚ 25 June: Swakopmund – Windhoek – Buitepos • Friday‚ 26 June: Buitepos – Kang • Saturday‚ 27 June: Kang – Sekoma – Kanye – Gabarone • Sunday‚ 28 June: Gaborone Day (Public Lecture) • Monday‚ 29 June: Gaborone – UJ Solar Lab..