Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Operations And Comprehensive Loss (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Operations And Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 12,705	$ 16,266	$ 24,886		$ 27,974
Cost of goods sold	11,675	14,711	23,154		25,384
Gross profit	1,030	1,555	1,732		2,590
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	3,469	3,473	5,581		5,345
General and administrative	2,805	4,213	5,296		7,682
Research and development	814	1,119	1,093		1,881
Total operating expenses	7,088	8,805	11,970		14,908
Loss from operations	(6,058)	(7,250)	(10,238)		(12,318)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(957)	(6,978)	(1,443)		(8,828)
Loss from equity in Joint Venture	(152)	(88)	(273)	[1]	(161)	[1]
Loss on financial instruments		10			(358)
Other income (expense), net	231	636	468		789
Total other income (expense)	(878)	(6,420)	(1,248)		(8,558)
Loss before income taxes	(6,936)	(13,670)	(11,486)		(20,876)
Income (tax) benefit	92	(9)	130		15
Net loss	(6,844)	(13,679)	(11,356)		(20,861)
Net loss attributable to non controlling interest	(2,282)	(1,114)	(3,355)		(1,684)
Net loss attributable to Zap	(4,562)	(12,565)	(8,001)		(19,177)
Other Comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	34	849	(153)		1,163
Net unrealized (loss) on securities available for sale	(67)	(231)	(541)		(517)
Comprehensive loss	(6,877)	(13,061)	(12,050)		(20,215)
Comprehensive loss attributable to non controlling interest	(2,263)	(698)	(3,428)		(1,114)
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP	$ (4,614)	$ (12,363)	$ (8,622)		$ (19,101)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.02)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.09)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	298,127	214,316	298,891		211,808

[1] The Company recorded a loss of $136,000 and $161,000 in ZAP Hangzhou, and a loss of $137,000 and $0 in Shanghai Zapple for the periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 respectively. These losses relate to the investment in a non-consolidated joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting.