Last week, we were abuzz about Nissan’s newest: a 100 percent electric, zero-emission car that until this Saturday, had been kept tightly under wraps. Today, we can tell you that the compact cruiser is a five-passenger hatchback pod, designed from the headlights to the tail pipe (or lack thereof) with Earth in mind.

One example: take a look at the long LED headlamps (which use roughly 10 percent that of a traditional headlamp), crafted to slice and redirect airflow away from door mirrors when driving, cutting down on both drag and wind noise.

Available in the U.S. in 2010, the lithium-ion powered LEAF will travel 100 miles on a full charge and reach speeds up to 90 mph, making it a practical choice for urban types. With a “quick charger,” it can reach 80 percent power capacity within 30 minutes of plug-in, while charging at home will take a respectable eight hours. While pricing details have yet to be announced, we’re anticipating a cost that hovers near $30,000, falling into Nissan’s touted “affordable” bracket and also competitive with the much-hyped Chevy Volt, also slated for a 2010 debut.

For all the details, visit the new Leaf microsite, featuring a quick ping question-and-answer feature powered by Twitter.

And then, take a moment to lean back in your chair and envision your world – minus gas stations. Now that’s a Monday morning pick-me-up.