<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 APRIL 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
       

                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997

<CASH>                                           1,177
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,407
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,782
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,645
<PP&E>                                           1,152
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   6,969
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,806
<BONDS>                                          3,987
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      5,816
<COMMON>                                        67,678
<OTHER-SE>                                     (81,181)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     6,969
<SALES>                                          3,754
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,754
<CGS>                                            2,419
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,768
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,630
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 557
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,201)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,201)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,201)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.03)