CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,286	$ 7,154	$ 9,639	$ 20,872
Cost of goods sold	(3,665)	(7,348)	(10,676)	(21,849)
Gross loss	(379)	(194)	(1,037)	(977)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	450	909	1,497	2,791
General and administrative	2,161	2,301	6,006	6,950
Research and development	84	38	252	1,721
Total operating expenses	2,695	3,248	7,755	11,462
Loss from operations	(3,074)	(3,442)	(8,792)	(12,439)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(625)	(646)	(1,848)	(2,081)
Other income	382	374	557	653
Total other expense, net	(243)	(272)	(1,291)	(1,428)
Loss before income taxes	(3,317)	(3,714)	(10,083)	(13,867)
Income tax expense
Net loss	(3,317)	(3,714)	(10,083)	(13,867)
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interest	1,070	1,055	3,233	4,669
Net loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	(2,247)	(2,659)	(6,850)	(9,198)
Net loss	(3,317)	(3,714)	(10,083)	(13,867)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	27	(130)	112	(1)
Total comprehensive loss	(3,290)	(3,844)	(9,971)	(13,868)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	1,050	1,096	3,081	4,607
Comprehensive loss attributable to ZAP's common shareholders	$ (2,240)	$ (2,748)	$ (6,890)	$ (9,261)
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	595,658	496,392	584,238	470,777