DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Jun. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010
Distribution Agreements [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 8,284,000		$ 8,169,000
Impairment loss on Distribution rights	4,969,000	[1]	0	[1]
Purchase of fixed assets and intangibles, shares	61,000,000
Purchase of fixed assets and intangibles	5,969,000
Percentage ownership in Jonway	51.00%
Value of common stock issued in relation to distribution agreement for CNG products	1,900,000
Jonway Group [Member]
Distribution Agreements [Line Items]
Common stock issued in relation to distribution agreement for CNG products (in shares)					61,000,000
Value of common stock issued in relation to distribution agreement for CNG products					6,000,000
Better World [Member]
Distribution Agreements [Line Items]
Purchase of fixed assets and intangibles, shares						6,000,000
Purchase of fixed assets and intangibles						2,160,000
Goldenstone Worldwide [Member]
Distribution Agreements [Line Items]
Purchase of fixed assets and intangibles, shares						30,000,000
Purchase of fixed assets and intangibles						14,400,000
CNG Products [Member]
Distribution Agreements [Line Items]
Impairment loss on Distribution rights	5,000,000
CNG Products [Member] | Jonway Group [Member]
Distribution Agreements [Line Items]
Impairment loss on Distribution rights	5,000,000
Distribution Agreements [Member]
Distribution Agreements [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 1,440,000		$ 1,440,000

[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.