A battery for a motor vehicle with a plurality of battery cells, wherein the respective battery cell include a battery cell housing, in which a galvanic element is accommodated. Via two electrical connection terminals, the battery cell is electrically connected to at least one further battery cell of the battery. A control device of the respective battery cell is coupled to at least one communications device. Here, the at least one communications device of the battery cell is designed for the purpose of communicating with at least one adjacent battery cell of the respective battery cell in a first mode.