Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
NET SALES	$ 14,088	$ 985	$ 42,062	$ 2,682
COST OF GOODS SOLD	11,951	837	37,310	2,318
GROSS PROFIT	2,137	148	4,752	364
OPERATING EXPENSES
Sales and marketing	2,702	245	8,033	769
General and administrative (non-cash stock-based compensation of $1 million and $1.45 million and $1.0 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	3,562	1,564	13,981	5,579
Research and development	1,009	130	2,944	834
Operating costs and expenses, total	7,273	1,939	24,958	7,182
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(5,136)	(1,791)	(20,206)	(6,818)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense, net	(4,904)	(1)	(13,732)	(1,046)
Gain on extinguishment of debt				817
Loss from equity interest in Joint Venture	(64)	(96)	(225)	(244)
Gain (Loss) on financial instruments		(373)	(349)	(257)
Other income (expense), net	221		1,001	(47)
Operating expenses, total	(4,747)	(470)	(13,305)	(777)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(9,883)	(2,261)	(33,511)	(7,595)
PROVISION (EXPENSE) BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAX	(5)		10	(4)
CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS	(9,888)	(2,261)	(33,501)	(7,599)
Less: net loss attributable to non controlling interest	1,026		4,060
Net loss attributable to ZAP	$ (8,862)	$ (2,261)	$ (29,441)	$ (7,599)
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
- BASIC AND DILUTED	$ (0.04)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.07)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
- BASIC AND DILUTED	219,097	109,611	215,044	106,846