Having read all the comments in this thread, I felt compelled to put in my pennys worth.
I have lived in the UK for 30 years and have now spent the last year in Ontario so I have a good view of (almost) the highest and (almost) the lowest prices.
It seems to me that the North Americans are obsessed by petrol powered everythings....
lawn mowers, snowblowers, weed eaters, bikes, atvs, etc etc etc so the gas thing relates not only to cars but to all forms of motorised activities.
This is because fuel was always cheap for the continent.
Europe has never had this luxury, therefore we have alternatives (electric mowers, shovels for snow, walking rather than motorized outdoor activities, push bikes and small engines)
and fuel consumption is important to the europeans, not horsepower or engine size.
In response to some comments about the distance and time for commuting making it impossible to use alternative transport, my partner used to commute 25 miles, in heavy traffic, on his motorbike, day in, day out.
I used to do 25 miles on hilly back roads in my 1400cc car.
Many people commute for an hour in the UK and a 2 litre car is a large vehicle for the UK.
Sorry guys, its time for the US and Canada to start having to take life a little differently.
Be grateful for what you have had and embrace the new possibilities - little cars, motorbikes and sheep to mow the lawn.
