CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,382	$ 8,362
Cost of goods sold	(3,316)	(8,874)
Gross profit (loss)	66	(512)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	585	992
General and administrative	2,261	1,879
Research and development	119	613
Total operating expenses	2,965	3,484
Loss from operations	(2,899)	(3,996)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(554)	(761)
Other income	64	81
Total expense	(490)	(680)
Loss before income taxes	$ (3,389)	$ (4,676)
Income tax expense
Net loss	$ (3,389)	$ (4,676)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interest	1,094	1,603
Net loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	(2,295)	(3,073)
Net loss	(3,389)	(4,676)
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(71)	46
Total comprehensive loss	(3,460)	(4,630)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	1,140	1,581
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP	$ (2,320)	$ (3,049)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	578,465	460,673