CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,971	$ 5,356	$ 6,353	$ 13,718
Cost of goods sold	(3,695)	(5,627)	(7,011)	(14,501)
Gross loss	(724)	(271)	(658)	(783)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	462	890	1,047	1,882
General and administrative	1,584	2,770	3,845	4,649
Research and development	49	1,070	168	1,683
Total operating expenses	2,095	4,730	5,060	8,214
Loss from operations	(2,819)	(5,001)	(5,718)	(8,997)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(669)	(674)	(1,223)	(1,435)
Other income	111	198	175	279
Total other expense	(558)	(476)	(1,048)	(1,156)
Loss before income taxes	(3,377)	(5,477)	(6,766)	(10,153)
Income tax expense
Net loss	(3,377)	(5,477)	(6,766)	(10,153)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interest	1,069	1,930	2,163	3,614
Net loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	(2,308)	(3,547)	(4,603)	(6,539)
Net loss	(3,377)	(5,477)	(6,766)	(10,153)
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustments	156	83	85	129
Total comprehensive loss	(3,221)	(5,394)	(6,681)	(10,024)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	891	1,930	2,031	3,511
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	$ (2,330)	$ (3,464)	$ (4,650)	$ (6,513)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.00)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	578,465	460,213	578,465	460,448