Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	May 23, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Summary of activity of Level 3 liabilities
Entity Registrant Name	Envision Solar International, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001398805
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer?	No
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer?	No
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current?	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public float			$ 7,524,122
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		107,502,938
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016