Anticipation for GM's electric Chevy Volt has been building for several months, but for some car buyers, the moment has been years in the making.

Before the Volt and Nissan Leaf began looking like serious possibilities, GM leased a concept electric vehicle called the EV1 to select drivers. Although the car worked and drove fine, GM ultimately deemed the market for an electric vehicle to be too small. Lessees, who by and large responded positively to the concept, were forced to turn in their EV1s, which were then scrapped. Many blamed GM and oil companies for keeping electric cars off the road, a theory that was propagated by the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

Now, as a way of reaching out to some of those consumers in advance of the Volt's launch, GM has selected a "consumer advisory board" of 15 people to help advise it on any final changes that need to be made on the Volt before it goes to market. The group includes some former vocal EV1 lessees in addition to consumers involved in the alternative energy industry.

The group of 15 will begin to drive the car in October, and will be allowed to keep it for 3 months. GM hopes that the drivers will show the car off and loan it to friends.

Electric cars are slated to hit the market soon, but may be expensive upon launch. Drivers may want to wait until a few hit the used car market before making the switch in order to save some dough.