CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 51,547	$ 50,281
Cost of goods sold	50,595	48,656
Gross profit	952	1,625
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	6,428	10,658
General and administrative	9,655	10,853
Research and development	618	2,510
Recall Expenses		2,064
Impairment loss of long-lived assets	2,640	2,560
Total operating expenses	19,341	28,645
Loss from operations	(18,389)	(27,020)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(3,666)	(2,950)
Loss from equity investment in joint venture	(899)	(391)
Loss on sale of marketable securities		(871)
Other Income	951	351
Total other income (expense)	(3,614)	(3,861)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(22,003)	(30,881)
Income tax benefit (expense)	54	(282)
Net loss	(21,949)	(31,163)
Less: net loss attributable to non controlling interest	6,953	9,338
Net loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	(14,996)	(21,825)
Other Comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,013	(61)
Total Comprehensive loss	(20,936)	(31,224)
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(6,457)	(9,370)
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	$ (14,479)	$ (21,854)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.05)	$ (0.07)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	302,518	299,647