A battery operated vehicle having a charging device for charging the battery from an external source of power, said device being integrated with the electrical system of the traction motor. The speed of said traction motor is controlled by a chopper-controller having an operation mode in which said motor is used for regenerative braking. The charging device comprises said chopper-controller which is arranged to be operated in said regenerative braking mode and switched in between the power source and the battery when said battery is charged.