James May has a long and prestigious history of reviewing cars, having delivered his verdict on everything from classic motors to the latest models.
His latest review on his YouTube channel, James May’s Planet Gin, focuses on the unusual Slate Truck, an all-electric pickup taking a very different approach to modern motoring.
Deliveries of the Slate Truck are expected to begin in late 2026, with the American manufacturer offering the electric vehicle at a starting price of $24,950, a more affordable alternative.
Despite its stripped-back design, May recently took the affordable electric pickup for a test drive. He was impressed by the vehicle’s back-to-basics approach, praising its simplicity, customisation options and easy driving experience.
A Return to Basic Pickup Truck Design
May suggested that American pickup trucks have lost their way in recent decades, becoming increasingly luxurious, oversized and expensive.
He explained: “I’m inclined to think that over the last few decades, the American pickup truck has had a bit of an identity crisis. It became fashionable and luxurious and therefore a bit big and blobby.
“It strayed from its mission, which was really just picking things up.”
However, he believes the Slate Truck represents a welcome return to the original philosophy behind pickup trucks.
“This is a welcome return to the pickup philosophy. It’s straightforward and basic and cheap, as it should be, because it’s not finished.”
The vehicle is deliberately designed to be simple, with an unfinished appearance that allows owners to personalise it themselves.
In fact, the truck doesn’t even come with conventional paint as standard, instead featuring dark grey plastic bodywork that can be customised with wraps and additional accessories.
Owners Can Customise Their Own Electric Pickup
One of the Slate Truck’s biggest selling points is its modular design, which allows buyers to add various features and change the vehicle’s appearance.
Owners can add different rear bodywork to transform the pickup into an SUV or create something resembling a beach buggy. There are also options for different wraps, decals, lighting, roof racks and other accessories.
May described the approach as particularly clever, suggesting it helps the manufacturer keep production costs down.
He compared the concept to buying a bagel, adding: “You buy the bagel and then you put the filling in.”
A Simple Interior and a Sub-$25,000 Starting Price
May noted that the Slate Truck’s price point is considerably less than the average price paid for a new car in the country.
However, the low starting price comes with some compromises.
The basic model has minimal interior trim, manually operated windows and a simple dashboard, with buyers having to pay extra for various optional features.
May was particularly amused by the vehicle’s traditional heating and ventilation controls, which consist of three physical knobs.
“The heating and ventilation is three knobs. The fan with an AC button in the middle, the temperature, and the stratification. Absolutely simple and straightforward,” he said.
“No digital display, none of that nonsense. I’m not sure that system has ever really been beaten.”
He also found the vehicle’s interior finish somewhat unusual, comparing it to “one of those bathrooms in a French formula hotel” made from a single piece of injection-moulded plastic.
Despite this, he found little to complain about when it came to the overall driving experience.
James May Praises the Driving Experience
Now, how does the actual vehicle actually drive? The Slate Truck’s official website states it’s an all-electric, two-wheel-drive vehicle with an estimated usable range of 205 miles.
Its performance is comparable to a reasonably quick hot hatchback, with a claimed 0- 60 mph time of approximately eight seconds and a top speed below 100mph.
May was impressed by how straightforward the vehicle was to drive, particularly its one-pedal driving system, which uses regenerative braking to slow the vehicle when the driver lifts off the accelerator.
After spending around an hour driving through urban roads, countryside and on the freeway, he said he had barely needed to touch the brake pedal.
He added: “This is an incredibly easy car to live with. Even easier than my Tesla, to be honest.”
He also praised the ride quality, describing it as surprisingly good for a vehicle with such a basic design.
Would James May Buy a Slate Truck?
Despite acknowledging that some people might see the Slate Truck as little more than a gimmick, May ultimately came away impressed.
He said: “There is a chance that everybody is getting terribly excited about what is actually a gimmick, you know. Oh, it’s America’s cheapest pickup truck. Oh, look, it’s really basic. Oh, I’ve got manual wind-up windows. Oh, I don’t even have satnav in mine.”
However, he quickly followed this up with a much more positive assessment.
“But I do actually think there’s something in this. I think it’s actually very good.”
He continued: “It’s a simple electric car. It’s got enough range, but it doesn’t have a massive battery. It’s good fun. It’s good-natured. It might even be vaguely practical as a pickup truck.”
Ultimately, when asked whether he would consider buying one himself, May gave a straightforward answer.
“Would I have one? Do you know? I think I would. I’d have one.”