A drive system for an electrically operated vehicle includes an electric drive unit operable as a motor and as a generator, a first power source circuit with a control device for controllably outputting power, a second chargeable and dischargeable power source circuit having at least one capacitor and which is connected in parallel to the drive unit, an electric intermediate circuit connected to the first and the second power source circuits and to the drive unit, a third chargeable and dischargeable power source circuit with at least one battery and which is connected to the intermediate circuit, a first detection device for detecting an electrical voltage of the intermediate circuit, which detection device is connected to the control device, and a second detection device for detecting a characteristic value of the vehicle speed and which is connected to the control device.