CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 7,558	$ 12,268	$ 14,409	$ 26,633
Cost of goods sold	(7,567)	(13,323)	(15,359)	(26,938)
Gross profit	21	(1,055)	(950)	(305)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	746	2,087	1,480	3,520
General and administrative	2,377	2,543	4,440	4,519
Research and development	74	159	260	309
Total operating expenses	3,197	4,789	6,180	8,348
Loss from operations	(3,176)	(5,844)	(7,130)	(8,653)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(998)	(803)	(1,873)	(1,625)
Loss from equity in joint venture		(89)		(574)
Other Income	300	340	423	528
Total income (expense)	(698)	(552)	(1,450)	(1,671)
Loss before income taxes	(3,874)	(6,396)	(8,580)	(10,324)
Income tax benefit (expense)	3	12	(301)	25
Net loss	(3,871)	(6,384)	(8,881)	(10,299)
Less: net loss attributable to non controlling interest	1,103	2,099	2,737	3,254
Net loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	(2,768)	(4,285)	(6,144)	(7,045)
Net loss	(3,871)	(6,384)	(8,881)	(10,299)
Other Comprehensive income/(Loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2	454	(116)	660
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(3,869)	(5,930)	(8,997)	(9,639)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	1,102	1,877	2,794	2,931
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	$ (2,767)	$ (4,053)	$ (6,203)	$ (6,708)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	365,252	302,518	333,712	302,518