A system for motorizing a shopping cart or the like, the system comprising: a) a drive unit including an electric motor and a motor control circuit; b) a manual control member situated close to the push bar and suitable for acting on the control circuit for controlling both forwards and backwards displacement of the cart; c) a transmission between the motor and at least one wheel of the cart; d) a rechargeable storage battery for powering the motor; e) a feed bar suitable for recharging the battery from a fixed electrical charger, said bar having a front end and a rear end such that its front end is suitable for forming an electrical contact with the rear end of the bar of the preceding cart in a row, with the first cart in a row being connected directly to the charger; f) an electrical connection between said bar and the positive terminal of the battery, when said electrical contact is established between the two above-mentioned bars; and g) a permanent electrical connection between ground constituted by the chassis and the negative terminal of the battery.