A system for automatically charging electrically powered automated guided vehicles in which a unique identification tag is attached to each vehicle in the system. A reader is positioned to periodically read the tags on each vehicle as the vehicle passes near the reader. The reader then produces an output signal which identifies the vehicle as an input signal to a processor. The processor receives the signal from the reader and is programmed to determine if the vehicle is scheduled for an electrical recharging. If so, the processor generates an output signal to the vehicle to divert the vehicle to an electrical charging station. At the charging station, an electrical charger automatically engages electrodes on the vehicle to initiate and thereafter complete the electrical charge.