Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	May 15, 2012	Aug. 12, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Envision Solar International, Inc.
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		56,953,323
Entity Public Float			$ 4,307,711
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001398805
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1