NOVELTY - The connecting element comprises a connector body (4), and a first electrically conductive contact element. The first contact element is movable relative to the connector body between an upstream contact position for contacting a contact pole (2) and a downstream release position for releasing the contact pole, and is moved by a pneumatic unit between the contact position and the release position. The connecting element further comprises a second contact element, a spring element, a pneumatically operable release element (8), and an arming element.    USE - The connecting element is useful for electrically contacting a contact pole of a battery unit (claimed), which is useful as a power supply for an electric vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The connecting element electrically and automatically contacts the contact pole of the battery unit without generating undesirable marks on a contact point in a simple and rapid manner.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The connecting element comprises a connector body (4), and a first electrically conductive contact element. The first contact element is movable relative to the connector body between an upstream contact position for contacting a contact pole (2) and a downstream release position for releasing the contact pole, and is moved by a pneumatic unit between the contact position and the release position. The connecting element further comprises a second contact element, a spring element, a pneumatically operable release element (8), and an arming element. The second element is arranged opposite to contact poles on the contact element. The second contact element is movable relative to the connector body between the upstream contact position for contacting the contact pole and the downstream release position for releasing the contact pole. The connecting element is attached to a counter connecting element of a battery unit along a main direction of movement of the body. The first contact element and/or the second contact element is pivotable about an pivot axis perpendicular to the main direction of movement, and has a slope of function on mutually facing functional areas and a function, which is arranged between the areas of the actuator. The actuator is pneumatically movable parallel to a main direction of movement. The actuator comprises a piston of a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the pneumatic unit. The first contact element and/or the second contact element comprises a first leg and a second leg angularly oriented to each other. An end portion the first leg is provided for contacting the contact pole, and an intermediate portion of the first leg has a function region. An end portion of the second leg is connected with an electrical conductor. The pivot axis is present in a transition region between the first and the second leg, or is disposed in an intermediate portion of the second leg. The second legs of the contact elements extend in the same direction. The spring element is configured for resilient application of force to the contact element and/or second contact element from the release position into the contact position. The contact elements are arranged along the pivot axis parallel to a transverse direction the connector body. The release element is designed to be movable along the main direction of movement perpendicular to the transverse direction relative to the connecting body. The arming element is movable along the main direction of movement, and includes a projection extending in a direction of contact pole. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a test for testing a battery unit; and    (2) a method for electrically contacting a contact pole of a battery unit.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figures show schematic perspective and side views of a connecting element.    Contact pole (2)    Connector body (4)    Connection contour (5)    Counter contour (6)    Release element. (8)