A method for managing the thermal behavior of a battery includes employing a thermal model of the battery. The model is configured to estimate, at each point in time, a thermal power generated by the battery depending on a measured electrical power passing through the battery. The thermal model includes a charging law and a discharging law, each law being based on the state of charge of the battery and on its temperature and incorporating the time constant of the battery. The method also includes controlling the thermal power generated by the battery.