INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 ZAP Hangzhou [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member]	Dec. 11, 2009 ZAP Hangzhou [Member]	Dec. 11, 2009 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] ZAP [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Shanghai Zapple [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Shanghai Zapple [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Shanghai Zapple [Member]	Dec. 11, 2009 Better World [Member] ZAP Hangzhou [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Shanghai Zapple [Member]	Dec. 11, 2009 Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. [Member] ZAP Hangzhou [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. [Member] Shanghai Zapple [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage						37.50%				37.50%	50.00%	25.00%	50.00%
Original registered capital of joint venture									$ 20,000,000
Joint venture, capital investment					3,000,000	1,100,000					3,000,000		5,000,000
Equity method investment losses	$ 391,000	$ 328,000	$ 123,000	$ 272,000			$ 280,000	$ 56,000