vehicles are heinous money sinks. one hour of operation (engine running) is something like $15-20 in materials (wear, fluids, maintenance), value depreciation, etc. doesn't include parking, tags, insurance, tolls.

it takes a lot of personal planning, economic power and focus to sidestep this as an individual in the US and end up not needing a car for work, or having a very short commute with the lack of public transport or bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure.

Yanks on average think sitting in their individual petroleum chariot for 40+ minutes a day x2 is "normal" and that only eccentrics would prioritize not needing a car over where they live.

I'm an eccentric and know a lot of people who are very "normal" over here.