If you want a Nissan Leaf electric car but weren't fast enough to get on the company's "priority" list months ago, your time has come. Nissan says it is opening its Leaf reservation process to the general public tomorrow.

The company last month began offeringadvance reservations to would-be customers who registered online early to receive information about the Leaf as it developed. Nissan says more than9,500 consumers signed on.But a reservation only gets your foot in the door. There are several steps to getting on the short list to buy or lease the car.

Prospective buyers will still have to convince Nissan they are up to the task of owning an electric vehiclebased on their driving patterns, living arrangements and other factors. Other electric-car makers aresimilarly vetting buyers.Depending on where you live the wait for a Leafcould belong. It begins a limited rollout in certain markets in December but won't be widely available until 2012.List price is$32,780. The lease pricestarts at $349 per month and the reservation requires a $99 refundable fee.