A battery system for an electric vehicle includes: a plurality of battery cells, each of the battery cells including electrode terminals; a busbar interconnecting the battery cells by contacting the electrode terminals; a battery housing enclosing the battery cells; and an electrically and thermally insulating cover element. The cover element covers the electrode terminals and the busbar such that the electrode terminals and the busbar are shielded from venting products exiting one or more of the battery cells towards the battery housing during a thermal runaway.