A new study by Citroën has revealed the best UK beaches to visit in the UK for electric vehicle owners this summer.

Citroën compared how close the highest rated beaches on TripAdvisor were to the 10 most populated cities in the UK and used its ë-C4 as its benchmark. The Citroën ë-C4 is capable of 260 miles of range and supports 100kW DC rapid charging, with a 20-80% charge taking around half an hour.

Points were awarded to the beaches that had major cities within 260 miles of them, as well as for the number of rapid and fast charge points.

Top 10 Beaches for EV Owners

1. Brighton Beach

Cities accessible within a 260-mile range - 10
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 99
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 61

The pebbled beach on the UK’s south coast is only 47 miles from London and has a four mile long promenade with bars, shops, hotels and a Victorian pier with a traditional fairground.

2. Bournemouth Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 9
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 98
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 62

The golden sands of Bournemouth Beach attract swathes of people each year who come for the beach and the town nearby, with its shops, cafes and nightlife. There is also a pier which was built in 1880. For those looking for less crowds, nearby Westbourne and Southbourne offer more quiet.

3. Sandbanks Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 9
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 90
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 41

Stretching from the mouth of Poole Harbour right up to Bournemouth, Sandbanks is Britain’s answer to Palm Beach and is home to a few famous faces. Average house prices are in the millions for the exclusive peninsula and it is served by upmarket shops and restaurants.

4. Scarborough Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 13
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 88
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 6

Scarborough offers two large beaches and is overlooked by the ruins of the 11th century Scarborough Castle. The South Bay beach is the livelier of the two beaches and has cafes, shops theatres and entertainment along the Victorian promenade.

5 (joint). Gorleston-on-Sea Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 10
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 20
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 5

Gorleston-on-Sea Beach is equally as popular with families as it is with surfers and is located 3 miles from the centre of Great Yarmouth, it offering a quieter, less crowded alternative day out compared to the beaches there. The nearby Norfolk Coast Path is good for walking in mild weather.

5 (joint). Hengistbury Head Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 9
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 12
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 12

Hengistbury Head Beach is a short drive from Bournemouth and offers a relatively unspoilt and south-facing pebble beach, with clay and ironstone cliffs.

6. Weymouth Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 8
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 10
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 8

Adjacent to Weymouth town centre, the beach is a curving arc of sand and offers shallow waters for swimming and range of other activities. The long, flat promenade leads to a pier at the southern end, as well as a seasonal miniature train.

7. Fistral Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 4
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 13
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 4

Just half a mile west of Newquay in Cornwall, Fistral Beach is potentially the number one place to go surfing. The long, sandy beach is split into northern and southern parts and is overlooked by the famous Headland Hotel. 

8. Rhossili Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 13
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 4
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 0

Made up of three miles of sandy shoreline, Rhossili Beach in Glamorgan is consistently named as one of the best beaches in Wales. It is extremely popular with surfers and when the tide goes out, the remains of the Helvetia, which shipwrecked there in 1887 can be seen.

9 (joint). Filey Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 13
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 3
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 0

Less commercial than many of the neighbouring beaches in the east of England, Filey Beach is a five mile stretch of golden sands and has a strong fishing heritage. There is also a promenade along the seafront featuring art inspired by the local natural heritage.

9 (joint). Wells Next The Sea Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 13
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 3
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 0

10. Carbis Bay Beach

Cities accessible within a 260 mile range - 2
Fast chargers within 5 miles - 10
Rapid chargers within 5 miles - 2

Located one mile east of the arty town of St Ives, Carbis Bay beach offers picturesque sights and shallow swimming waters.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Citroën