A device for producing electrical energy from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, includes a generator with an exhaust gas inlet connection, an exhaust gas outlet connection and at least one heat exchange section therebetween. At least one flow diversion and/or flow division is provided between the exhaust gas inlet connection and the heat exchange section. The heat exchange section has a plurality of flow paths perpendicular to the exhaust gas inlet connection, to be assigned to a plurality of heat exchange units. At least a portion of the heat exchange assembly has at least one thermoelectric element and a cooling device. The at least one thermoelectric element is captively connected to the cooling device. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.