A method for controlling a temperature of a battery cell (22, 24) in a battery module (20), the method comprising the steps of: determining an initial temperature of the battery cell (22, 24); measuring a current (I) flowing into or out of the battery cell (22, 24); determining an actual temperature gradient of the battery cell (22, 24) using a thermal battery cell model described by a differential equation, for which input values comprise at least the determined initial temperature and the measured current (I); comparing the determined actual temperature gradient of the battery cell (22, 24) with a pre-defined desired temperature gradient; and automatically adjusting the current (I) flowing into or out of the battery cell (22, 24) according to a result of the comparison.