<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM THE
     FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS IN THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K OF U.S. ELECTRICAR,
     INC.  FOR THE QUARTER  ENDED JULY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
     BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000922237
<NAME>                        U.S.ELECTRICAR,INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
                                                                               
<S>                             <C>                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                                         
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JUL-31-1997               
<PERIOD-START>                                 AUG-01-1996               
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUL-31-1997               
<CASH>                                              333
<SECURITIES>                                          0                      
<RECEIVABLES>                                       829                     
<ALLOWANCES>                                          0                        
<INVENTORY>                                       1,812                      
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  3,232                  
<PP&E>                                            1,099                  
<DEPRECIATION>                                        0                  
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    4,513                  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             9,969                  
<BONDS>                                           3,639                  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0                  
<PREFERRED>                                       5,225                  
<COMMON>                                         68,354                  
<OTHER-SE>                                     (81,525)                  
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      4,513                  
<SALES>                                           4,484                  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  4,484                  
<CGS>                                             2,042                  
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     6,376                  
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  1,904                  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0                  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  792                  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,588)                  
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0                  
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,588)                  
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0                  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (53)                  
<CHANGES>                                             0                  
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,535)                  
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.03)                  
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.03)                  
        


</TABLE>