Abstract: A battery of a hybrid or purely electrically driven motor vehicle has a first battery element, which includes at least two spatially parallel-running first battery cell strings, which have first battery cells connected in series along a first extension direction of the battery. In addition, the battery has a second battery element, which includes at least two spatially parallel-running second battery cell strings, which have second battery cells connected in series along the first extension direction. The battery is designed in such a way that, for all of the first battery cell strings, it holds true that two consecutive strings of the first battery cell strings are spaced apart from each other along a second extension direction of the battery at least via one of the second battery cell strings.

Abstract: A switching device for a multi-pole high-voltage vehicle power supply of an electrically operable motor vehicle is provided. The switching device includes at least one first electromechanical switch assigned to a first pole of at least one high-voltage accumulator, and having at least one second electromechanical switch assigned to a second pole of at least one high-voltage accumulator, wherein a first switch and a second switch have a different design and are designed to meet a first defined requirement together, and wherein at least one of the two switch types—here referred to as the first switch—is designed so as meet at least a second defined requirement on its own.