<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-Q OF U.S.
ELECTRICAR, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>1,000
       

                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                             JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                  OCT-31-1996

<CASH>                                                            51
<SECURITIES>                                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    771
<ALLOWANCES>                                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                                    2,210
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               3,216
<PP&E>                                                           953
<DEPRECIATION>                                                     0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 4,236
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         14,015
<BONDS>                                                        3,987
<COMMON>                                                      60,957
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                              0
<PREFERRED>                                                    6,018
<OTHER-SE>                                                   (79,661)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   4,236
<SALES>                                                          527
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 527
<CGS>                                                            763
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  1,529
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                               1,630
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                39
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                               (2,671)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                           (2,671)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    0
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                  (2,671)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  (0.02)