Debt Instrument Derivative Liabilities Convertable To Shares

No definition available.

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- Definition

Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements, Warrants, And Debentures

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Percentage Of Deposit Required For Bank Acceptance Notes

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired in the business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1392-128463

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of convertible debt securities using the if-converted method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1930-109256

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 26, 27, 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Describes the nature of the product warranty, including the approximate term of the product warranty, how the product warranty arose, and the events or circumstances that would require the warrantor to perform under the product warranty.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

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Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 21, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Outstanding common stock options, warrants and debentures	86.4	100.7
Outstanding debt convertible to shares	188
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 15,000		$ 9,000
Useful life of finite intangible asset	50 years
Percentage acquired in Jonway Auto	51.00%			51.00%
Personal Electric Products Including ZAPPY3 and Zapino Scooters [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Warranty term	30 to 90 day
Xebra, ZAPTRUCK XL, and ZAPVAN Shuttle [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Warranty term	six month
Xebra Vehicles Repaired By ZAP [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Warranty term	six month
Jonway SUV Products [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Warranty term	2-year or 60,000 kilometer mileage
Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in Jonway Auto				49.00%
Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Percentage of deposit required for bank acceptance notes	40.00%
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Percentage of deposit required for bank acceptance notes	60.00%
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities converted into shares		4.3
EPA License [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Useful life of finite intangible asset	7 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Useful life of finite intangible asset	8 years 6 months
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Useful life of finite intangible asset	7 years
Land Use Rights [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Useful life of finite intangible asset	50 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Line Items]
Period of amortization	10 years