SEGMENT REPORTING (Schedule of Segment Results) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 5,220,000	$ 9,929,000	$ 19,630,000	$ 36,562,000
Gross profit (loss)	(620,000)	613,000	(1,570,000)	308,000
Depreciation and amortization	2,100,000	2,046,000	5,196,000	4,970,000
Net Loss	(4,803,000)	(3,346,000)	(13,686,000)	(13,645,000)
Total assets	106,516,000	110,918,000	106,516,000	110,918,000	107,033,000
Jonway Conventional Vehicles [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,951,000	9,660,000	18,926,000	35,878,000
Gross profit (loss)	(692,000)	512,000	(1,759,000)	166,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,445,000	1,389,000	4,309,000	4,079,000
Net Loss	(2,837,000)	(1,719,000)	(8,424,000)	(8,360,000)
Total assets	82,207,000	88,226,000	82,207,000	88,226,000
Electric Consumer Products[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	269,000	252,000	704,000	639,000
Gross profit (loss)	72,000	107,000	189,000	174,000
Depreciation and amortization	655,000	657,000	1,967,000	1,970,000
Net Loss	(1,966,000)	(1,622,000)	(5,262,000)	(5,078,000)
Total assets	22,870,000	22,692,000	22,870,000	22,692,000
Car outlet [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Net Loss				(174,000)
Total assets
Advanced Technology Vehicles [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		17,000		45,000
Gross profit (loss)		(6,000)		(32,000)
Depreciation and amortization				0
Net Loss		(5,000)		(33,000)
Total assets		0		0
Zap HK [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Net Loss
Total assets	$ 1,439,000		$ 1,439,000