Battery having a cooling element connectable as a bypass and method for cooling a gas generated in the battery

A battery 1 comprising plural battery cells 3 arranged within a battery housing 2 and a cooling system 4 for cooling the cells by a cooling fluid. A degassing opening 5 allows, in case of damage, gas escaping at least one cell to escape the housing. A cooling element 6 is arranged in the degassing opening and is configured so that cooling fluid from the cooling system flows through it in event of damage. The cooling element is connected in parallel to the cooling system via at least one valve 7. The battery may be a traction battery for an electric vehicle. The cooling element may comprise a plurality of nozzles for spraying cooling fluid into the battery housing in event of damage. The cooling element may be activated by activating the at least one valve and introducing cooling fluid from the cooling system of the battery into the element.