Starting out in the USA, Nissan will begin to install these charging portals nationwide in a bid to support drivers of its Leaf electric car - and it's now taken a step in to the virtual world by [featuring its charging stations](http://www.simcity.com/en_GB/blog/article/simcity-nissan-leaf-uk) in the game SimCity. This is all part of a product placement deal that Nissan has struck with EA, the publisher of the popular game which has been going since 1989 and was updated in a long awaited new release this year.
Unusually for product placement in games, the charging station actually has a direct impact on gameplay. 'Happiness' of the population is one of the many factors that players have to manage as mayors of their virtual city and by implementing the use of the Nissan Leaf charging station results directly in a smoother game play experience. EA Community Manager Michael Donahoe explained that "...the Charging Station will be a new destination in player’s cities where their Sims will drive their Nissan Leaf cars in order to re-charge them. Once they leave the Sims will find themselves happier".
The Nissan LEAF downloadable content is free and [available now](http://www.simcity.com/en_GB/blog/article/simcity-nissan-leaf-uk) for players of EA's SimCity.
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