CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,362	$ 6,821
Cost of goods sold	(8,874)	(7,792)
Gross profit (loss)	(512)	(971)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	(992)	(734)
General and administrative	(1,879)	(2,064)
Research and development	(613)	(186)
Total operating expenses	(3,484)	(2,984)
Loss from operations	(3,996)	(3,955)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(761)	(876)
Other Income	81	124
Total income (expense)	(680)	(752)
Loss before income taxes	(4,676)	(4,707)
Income tax		304
Net Loss	(4,676)	(5,011)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interest	1,603	1,634
Net loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	(3,073)	(3,377)
Net Loss	(4,676)	(5,011)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	46	(118)
Total comprehensive loss	(4,630)	(5,129)
Less : Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	1,581	1,692
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP	$ (3,049)	$ (3,437)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	460,673	302,518