SEGMENT REPORTING (Schedule of Segment Results) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 8,362,000	$ 6,821,000
Gross profit (loss)	(512,000)	(971,000)
Depreciation and amortization	2,092,000	2,079,000
Net Loss	(4,676,000)	(5,011,000)
Total assets	88,884,000	97,324,000	90,996,000
Jonway Auto [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	8,186,000	6,733,000
Gross profit (loss)	(587,000)	(994,000)
Depreciation and amortization	1,435,000	1,423,000
Net Loss	(3,272,000)	(3,334,000)
Total assets	69,799,000	77,722,000
ZAP [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	176,000	88,000
Gross profit (loss)	75,000	23,000
Depreciation and amortization	657,000	656,000
Net Loss	(1,404,000)	(1,677,000)
Total assets	19,077,000	19,464,000
ZAP Hong Kong [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Net Loss
Total assets	$ 8,000	$ 138,000