A method for controlling the maximum charge rate during a charging process or discharging process of an electrochemical energy store device is generally characterised by current intensity. Said current intensity is dependent on the operating state of the electrochemical energy store device and on a group of boundary conditions. Said group typically comprises, for example, the temperature of at least one region of the electrochemical energy store device. The maximum charge rate may crucially depend on the mode of operation of the electrochemical energy store device, and therefore a distinction should be made in particular as to whether energy is being supplied to or withdrawn from said device. The electrochemical energy store device can heat up during charging or discharging processes, and therefore in particular the duration of the energy withdrawal and/or energy supply can influence the level of the current intensity which can be withdrawn and/or which can be supplied. The current intensity which can be withdrawn and/or supplied depends in particular upon the state of charge of the electrochemical energy store unit and is therefore controlled in particular on the basis of said state of charge. When in a critical temperature range, the electrochemical energy store cell is particularly difficult to control. Therefore, the current intensity which can be withdrawn or supplied is set to zero when a maximum temperature is reached and/or a minimum temperature is reached.