NOVELTY - The lithium ion battery cell comprises a wrapping element, and current collectors and an electrolyte accommodated in a housing (11). The housing comprises a container (13) that is open towards an upper side and a cover arrangement having a planar cover plate (23) closing an opening (14) of the container. The cover plate and a wall of the container are designed in a region of the opening such that the wall prevents a movement of the cover plate from the opening by a positive connection.    USE - The lithium ion battery cell is useful in a motor vehicle (claimed), and for powering mobile electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles and for storage of electrical energy.    ADVANTAGE - The lithium ion battery cell exhibits high energy density, increased thermal stability and electric mobility, and simple structure.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The lithium ion battery cell comprises a wrapping element, and current collectors and an electrolyte accommodated in a housing (11). The housing comprises a container (13) that is open towards an upper side and a cover arrangement having a planar cover plate (23) closing an opening (14) of the container. The cover plate and a wall of the container are designed in a region of the opening such that the wall prevents a movement of the cover plate from the opening by a positive connection. An elastically compressible sealing element (31) is provided between the wall and a wall surface of an outer edge of the cover plate directed towards the wall to seal the cover plate hermetically against the container. The cover plate and the wall of the container in the region of the opening are formed so that an increasing pressure on the compressible sealing member is applied by increasing the internal pressure in the housing. The wall of the container is formed in the region of the opening such that the opening outwardly tapers in cross section. The opening surrounds side walls of the container that are bent inwards in a region of the opening. An outer edge of the cover plate is bent inwardly. A sprayed-sealing film is arranged as the sealing element. The outer edge of the cover plate has an injection molded sealing lip. The sealing element consists of a chemical resistant for the electrolyte material.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic cross sectional view of a housing of a battery cell.    Housing (11)    Container (13)    Opening (14)    Cover plate (23)    Compressible sealing element. (31)