NOVELTY - The battery (30) has high voltage terminals (40a, 40b) arranged at a battery housing (34). A battery management system (42) is contacted at the battery housing by a connecting element (46). A diagnosis connecting element (32), which is different from the high voltage terminals and the former connecting element, is arranged at the battery housing. A value and/or a temporal course of a physical variable e.g. total voltage (UD) of battery cells (36), of the battery is provided to the diagnosis connecting element. The terminals are coupled with the cells by battery separation switches (38a, 38b).    USE - High voltage battery i.e. lithium-ion battery, for a vehicle drive.    ADVANTAGE - The diagnosis connecting element, which is different from the high voltage terminals and another connecting element, is arranged at the battery housing, and the value and/or the temporal course of the physical variable of the battery is provided to the former connecting element, thus enabling monitoring of relevant physical variables of the battery independent of the battery management system and operability, and hence reducing a risk potential produced by the battery in case of accident. The battery allows simple access of relevant data of the battery even during damage of the system, and diagnosis of the risk potential, thus performing suitable measures for counteracting endangerment of the battery. The battery simplifies a diagnosis possibility for rescue and recovery enterprises, and allows a reader device to be easily attached at the connecting element, thus allowing simple reading of diagnosis data without the need for special tools and specialized knowledge.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The battery separation switches are electrically controlled contactors.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic block diagram of a high voltage battery.    Total voltage of battery cells (UD)    High voltage battery (30)    Diagnosis connecting element (32)    Battery housing (34)    Battery cells (36)    Battery separation switches (38a, 38b)    High voltage terminals (40a, 40b)    Battery management system (42)    Connecting element (46)