INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Jonway Auto [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 Shanghai Zapple [Member] ZAP Hangzhou [Member] CNY	Mar. 31, 2014 Shanghai Zapple [Member] Jonway Auto [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							3,000,000	5,000,000
Joint venture, capital investment				1,100,000
Equity method investment losses		$ 485,000	$ 899,000		$ 24,000	$ 438,000			$ 461,000	$ 461,000