INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Jonway Auto [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Better World [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 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] CNY
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage												25.00%	37.50%							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		$ 82,000		$ 656,000	$ 899,000	$ 0	$ 79,000	$ 0	$ 182,000	$ 438,000				$ 0	$ 461,000	$ 0	$ 461,000	$ 461,000