An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a utility vehicle which detects a magnetic field generated by a boundary wire when it triggered by an area current signal supplied from an electric power supply and which is driven by an electric motor powered by an onboard battery that is charged at a charging station. The apparatus is provided with a socket to connect/disconnect supply of the electric current to the boundary wire and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit determines whether after power supply was once disconnected, the supply is reconnected (S10) and then inserts in the area signal a signal indicating the vehicle to return to the charging station. Operation of the motor is controlled to make the vehicle run to the charging station when the return instruction signal is inserted.
