SEGMENT REPORTING (Schedule Of Segment Results) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 50,281	$ 56,237
Gross profit (loss)	1,625	4,460
Depreciation and amortization	7,864	7,357
Net loss	(31,163)	(45,422)
Total assets	115,964	121,488
Jonway Auto [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	49,265	54,299
Gross profit (loss)	1,071	5,023
Depreciation and amortization	5,062	5,091
Net loss	(19,057)	(9,090)
Total assets	91,396	93,011
ZAP [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	723	622
Gross profit (loss)	285	118
Depreciation and amortization	2,770	2,217
Net loss	(9,608)	(33,697)
Total assets	23,979	27,674
Voltage Vehicles Car Lot [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	142	876
Gross profit (loss)	(230)	111
Depreciation and amortization	6	9
Net loss	(1,859)	(220)
Total assets	235	493
Portable Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		27
Gross profit (loss)		(36)
Depreciation and amortization
Net loss		(52)
Total assets		45
ZAP Stores [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		3
Gross profit (loss)		(11)
Depreciation and amortization
Net loss		(11)
Total assets
Advanced Technology Vehicles [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	151	410
Gross profit (loss)	499	(745)
Depreciation and amortization	26	40
Net loss	(631)	(2,456)
Total assets	354
ZAP Hong Kong [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Net loss	(8)
Total assets		$ 265