SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Impairment loss of long-lived assets	$ 5,596,000		$ 2,640,000
Impairment loss on Distribution rights	4,969,000	[1]	0	[1]
Impairment loss on Intangible assets	627,000	[2]	0	[2]
Assets
CNG distribution right	10,978,000		10,855,000
Issue 61 million shares of common stock for acquisition of IPR and Distribution rights for Minivan and CNG products	5,969,000
Stock issued for acquisition of IPR and Distribution rights for Minivan and CNG products, shares	61,000,000
Nonrecurring [Member]
Assets
CNG distribution right	1,000,000	[1]
Trade name	1,600,000	[2]	2,239,000	[1]
Level 1 [Member] | Nonrecurring [Member]
Assets
CNG distribution right		[1]
Trade name		[2]		[1]
Level 2 [Member] | Nonrecurring [Member]
Assets
CNG distribution right		[1]
Trade name		[2]		[1]
Level 3 [Member] | Nonrecurring [Member]
Assets
CNG distribution right	1,000,000	[1]
Trade name	$ 1,600,000	[2]	$ 2,239,000	[1]

[1] The CNG distribution right was acquired in the fiscal year of 2014 at $5.96 million by issuing 61 million shares. In March 2014, Jonway Group agreed to pay all of the outstanding mold expenses of the Minivan that is currently still outstanding, and in return ZAP will share half of the asset value and share the IPR (50%) of the Minivan with Jonway Auto. The Minivan was purchased by ZAP from a prior agreement between ZAP and Jonway Group which was signed on January 18, 2012. In return for ZAP receiving worldwide exclusivity for the sales, distribution, and product IPR rights for all current and future models of the compressed natural gas (“CNG”) versions of Jonway Auto's Products, including, but not limited to, SUV, minivan, and all other models, the Company's Board of Directors authorized on March 28, 2014 to issue 61,000,000 shares of common stock to the companies owned by the Co-CEO and shareholder Alex Wang. The 61,000,000 shares of common stock have been issued in April 2014.The Company recognized impairment charges of $4.96 million for the years ended December 31, 2014.

[2] The Company recognized impairment loss for Trade name in the year ended December 31, 2014.