CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 10,527	$ 14,008	$ 35,413	$ 42,062
Cost of goods sold	10,578	11,951	33,732	37,335
Gross profit (Loss)	(51)	2,137	1,681	4,727
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	2,319	2,633	7,900	7,978
General and administrative	3,402	3,574	8,698	11,256
Research and development	856	1,037	1,949	2,917
Total operating expenses	6,577	7,244	18,547	22,151
Loss from operations	(6,628)	(5,107)	(16,866)	(17,424)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(691)	(4,904)	(2,134)	(13,732)
Loss from equity in Joint Venture	(25)	(64)	(296)	(225)
Loss on financial instruments				(349)
Other income (expense), net	467	221	933	1,001
Total other income (expense)	(249)	(4,747)	(1,497)	(13,305)
Loss before income taxes	(6,877)	(9,854)	(18,363)	(30,729)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(14)	5	(144)	(10)
Net loss	(6,863)	(9,859)	(18,219)	(30,719)
Net loss attributable to non controlling interest	1,811	1,428	5,164	2,696
Net loss attributable to Zap	(5,052)	(8,431)	(13,055)	(28,023)
Other Comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	25	1,126	(128)	2,289
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale	133	(286)	(408)	(517)
Total comprehensive loss	(6,705)	(9,019)	(18,755)	(28,947)
Comprehensive loss attributable to non controlling interest	(1,799)	(876)	(5,227)	(1,574)
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP common shareholders	$ (4,906)	$ (8,143)	$ (13,528)	$ (27,373)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.02)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.14)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	300,156,000	219,097,000	299,316,000	215,044,000