CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 29,460	$ 28,689
Cost of goods sold	(30,722)	(31,703)
Gross loss	(1,262)	(3,014)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	3,323	3,982
General and administrative	10,775	8,711
Research and development	1,479	634
Impairment loss on assets	1,082	5,596
Total operating expenses	16,659	18,923
Loss from operations	(17,921)	(21,937)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(2,464)	(4,023)
Other income	330	1,888
Total income (expense)	(2,134)	(2,135)
Loss before income taxes	$ (20,055)	(24,072)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(301)
Net loss	$ (20,055)	(24,373)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interest	5,911	6,790
Net loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	(14,144)	(17,583)
Net loss	(20,055)	(24,373)
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(169)	(102)
Total comprehensive loss	(20,224)	(24,475)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	5,784	6,840
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP	$ (14,440)	$ (17,635)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	502,660	377,547