There are a few myths about EVs out there.
Two that come to mind are that "everyone just puts it in second or third gear" and "most don't have a clutch".
The truth is that there are LOTS of different ways to build an EV, and different ways to drive them.
Many of the smaller, slower vehicles, such as Citicars and NEVs are more or less direct drive - those also tend to be rear-wheel drive.
It's pretty easy to use a manual transmission in a home-built EV, as you still need some way to connect the motor to the wheels anyways.
My car has the manual transmission, and no clutch. I think it would be a little nicer with a clutch, but it does shift OK without one, and it was simpler to build without.
The only guy I know personally with an S10 conversion has the manual transmission with a clutch. He uses all his gears and shifts through them just like a typical truck would.
I have found that I could pretty much leave my Metro in third gear and drive it that way, but at the expense of high amps and some low end acceleration.
I will talk with Brian next time I see him about his S10 conversion. His is a very nice conversion with actual purchased parts. Nothing cobbled together or scrounged from scrap yards.
Maybe he would be willing to share some numbers from his project.
He's got some pretty good information on his EVAlbum listing, but I could ask him any other questions you would like.
Brian's S-10 Listing:
http://www.evalbum.com/1752
In general, electric motors tend to be happier spinning a little faster, and pulling fewer amps.
If you put a motor directly on a rear axle or driveshaft, it's going to be spinning slower and working harder. Higher voltage will help, but definately explore what you can do for some gear reduction in there.
Here is a Jeep with the motor attached directly to the transfer case, so that's one step closer to direct-drive:
http://www.evalbum.com/1095