<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 JANUARY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       

                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                         6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                             JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                  JAN-31-1997

<CASH>                                                            10
<SECURITIES>                                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    679
<ALLOWANCES>                                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                                    1,969
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               2,836
<PP&E>                                                         1,274
<DEPRECIATION>                                                     0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 4,157
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         16,260
<BONDS>                                                        3,987
<COMMON>                                                      60,699
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                              0
<PREFERRED>                                                    5,975
<OTHER-SE>                                                   (81,666)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   4,157
<SALES>                                                          898
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 898
<CGS>                                                          1,412
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  3,532
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                               1,630
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               412
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                               (4,676)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                           (4,676)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    0
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                  (4,676)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  (0.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  (0.04)