<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 YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1996 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                              0000922237
<NAME>                             U.S.ELECTRICAR,INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                       1,000
       
                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                              13
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      856
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,387
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,440
<PP&E>                                             835
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,363
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           13,112
<BONDS>                                          3,987
<COMMON>                                        59,157
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      6,158
<OTHER-SE>                                     (76,990)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,363
<SALES>                                          4,209
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,209
<CGS>                                            5,370
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,379
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   740
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,890
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (11,501)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (11,501)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,147)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (9,354)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.14)