NOVELTY - The device (1) has a battery (2) thermally coupled with a closed coolant circuit (K1) that is thermally coupled with a refrigerant circuit (K2) of a vehicle air conditioning system (4) based on a heat exchanger. A control device controls amount of coolant i.e. air, flowing along the heat exchanger that is formed as an evaporator (3) of the conditioning system. An exhaust element (8) is arranged in the coolant circuit to produce an air flow (L) and to circulate air in a battery case (2.1). A condensate separator (10) is arranged in a flow direction of the air flow after the evaporator.    USE - Device for operating a vehicle e.g. hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The heat exchanger is formed as the evaporator of the vehicle air conditioning system, the coolant is air and the coolant circuit is formed in a closed manner, so that the air flow is conductible in the closed system without air supply from outside or air removal outwardly, thus avoiding contamination within the coolant circuit and enabling uniform cooling over the entire life span of the battery in a simple and efficient manner without requiring additional fluid circuit, and hence saving material and cost. The exhaust element is arranged in the coolant circuit to produce the air flow and to circulate the air in the battery case, thus enabling homogeneous temperature distribution in the battery case. The condensate separator is arranged in the flow direction of the air flow after the evaporator for dehumidifying air, so that the corrosion of evaporator and components in the battery case at electrical contacts and the single cells are avoided in a favorable manner. The utilization of air as coolant reduces the weight of the device, so that the power requirement for vehicle movement and pollutant emission amount are reduced.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method for operating a vehicle.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic view of a device provided for operating a vehicle and comprising a battery. '(Drawing includes non-English language text)'    Closed coolant circuit (K1)    Refrigerant circuit (K2)    Air flow (L)    Vehicle operating device (1)    Battery (2)    Battery case (2.1)    Evaporator (3)    Vehicle air conditioning system (4)    Exhaust element (8)    Condensate separator (10)