INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Jonway Auto [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member] CNY	Dec. 31, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member] ZAP Hangzhou [Member] CNY
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage			37.50%		25.00%			50.00%	50.00%
Original registered capital of joint venture			$ 3,000,000					20,000,000
Joint venture, capital investment			1,100,000					5,000,000	3,000,000
Equity method investment losses	$ 899,000	$ 391,000	$ 438,000	$ 123,000		$ 461,000	$ 280,000