INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Jonway Auto [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Better World [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Shanghai Zapple [Member] CNY	Dec. 31, 2011 Shanghai Zapple [Member] Jonway Auto [Member] CNY	Dec. 31, 2011 Shanghai Zapple [Member] Better World [Member] USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage											37.50%	25.00%	37.50%					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		$ 89,000		$ 574,000	$ 899,000	$ 0	$ 83,000	$ 0	$ 103,000	$ 438,000				$ 0	$ 461,000	$ 461,000