SEGMENT REPORTING (Schedule of Segment Results) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 51,547,000	$ 50,281,000
Gross profit (loss)	952,000	1,625,000
Depreciation and amortization	8,169,000	7,864,000
Net loss	(21,949,000)	(31,163,000)
Total assets	107,033,000	115,964,000
Jonway Auto [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	50,631,000	49,265,000
Gross profit (loss)	797,000	1,071,000
Depreciation and amortization	5,541,000	5,062,000
Net loss	(14,190,000)	(19,057,000)
Total assets	86,971,000	91,396,000
ZAP [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	871,000	723,000
Gross profit (loss)	188,000	285,000
Depreciation and amortization	2,628,000	2,770,000
Net loss	(7,516,000)	(9,608,000)
Total assets	19,991,000	23,979,000
Voltage Vehicles Car Lot [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		142,000
Gross profit (loss)		(230,000)
Depreciation and amortization		6,000
Net loss	(174,000)	(1,859,000)
Total assets		235,000
Advanced Technology Vehicles [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	45,000	151,000
Gross profit (loss)	(33,000)	499,000
Depreciation and amortization		26,000
Net loss	(68,000)	(631,000)
Total assets		354,000
ZAP Hong Kong [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Net loss	(1,000)	(8,000)
Total assets	$ 71,000