When you've built a career on being a car expert with encyclopedic knowledge of the internal combustion engine, EVs probably aren't your thing. And that's what comes across in James May's video on the Tesla Model S.

James is famous for his roles in Top Gear and The Grand Tour, where he often shares the inner workings of a car's mechanics with the audience and his two colleagues, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. Fulfilling his function as the nerd of the trio.

The TV presenter has a fascination for everything mechanical and the more complicated the goings-on under a hood, the better. But watching him review the Tesla via the DriveTribe YouTube channel gives the impression that he's not very impressed by the car.

It's very different from the Rolls-Royces and Bentleys that he normally picks for his long range TV excursions, the types of cars that he gets excited about and likes to drive in the show. Probably because there are no carburetors, pistons, or cylinders for him to drool over.

It may well be James's deadpan reporting style, but it does feel like he would rather be reviewing the latest V12 monster from Aston Martin than this mid-range EV. But he's also very aware that these cars are not just the future of motoring, they're also the future of automobile media reporting.

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James May: Thoughts On EV's Exterior

The first thing that May groans about is the car's looks by saying, "It looks like a Vauxhall." Meaning it's bland, which probably is a fair comment. It is a rather plain looking saloon car with no real distinguishing features. It doesn't have the cool styling offered by the likes of Audi and BMW on their midrange flagships.

But that could well be the point. Tesla is now marketing these cars to target a very wide customer base, many of whom just want a long-range EV, like the Model S 100D, that gets just them to the office and back on a daily basis, and they may not be too fussed about styling.

May's Take On The Tesla's Interior

James May Driving Tesla
DriveTribe

Inside the car he refers to the car's (multi-billion dollar investment) control center as a big smartphone. He suggests that it's just a large iPad that isn't very user-friendly. Hinting that it takes up too much of the driver's attention and could even be a safety hazard.

But James is keen to convey that it does have an app which makes fart noises. Then he groans once more about the fact that you automatically get Netflix, a TV channel in competition with the one that airs his TV show. And this is where he does miss a trick. Because potential Model S buyers will definitely want to see more.

They will want to hear more about the ground-breaking technology that's onboard the Tesla. A car which has so much more to offer than what he presents in the brief quips that he makes on the most basic of its features. For such a technical guy it's surprising that he describes the car's engineering as "just tons of mobile phone batteries in the floor pan."

Things May Likes About The Model S

James May Tesla Model S
DriveTribe

On the positive front, when driving the Model S, James seems impressed by its performance. "This car has 400 brake horsepower and loads of torque. It's fast everywhere." But in the film he hardly puts the car through its paces, driving sedately along a busy freeway. Which perhaps isn't something we should be particularly surprised about, as he does carry the nickname "Captain Slow."

May also likes the Tesla's range, and he finds the supercharging points "epic," which is one of the things that makes the Tesla so appealing right now. Although there is a hint of sarcasm in his voice when he talks about having to socialize with other Tesla owners at charging stations, discussing range, software updates and evangelizing all things Tesla.

James doesn't appear to be very impressed with the Model S's weight either. "It's heavy, a whopping 2.2 tons," he states, comparing it to the weight of a hydrogen powered car, as opposed to taking a much fairer comparison with a similar build EV from another supplier.

"If I had to sum up the Tesla I'd say 'Pardy-Time', it's feel-good, on-trend and up-for-a-laugh" he says smirking at the camera. Which begs the question: Why isn't he in the party mood then?

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James May: Further Thoughts On The Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S
via YouTube

The final few minutes of the video film are probably the most telling. We get a insight into what James May really thinks about not just the Tesla, but the future of motoring. He challenges his own thoughts on electricity and hydrogen, and is quick to draw on the good and bad points of the Tesla. So his final summary is probably summed up with the following: the Tesla Model S is quick, bland-looking, has good range, you can watch Netflix while charging it, and it makes fart noises.