Americans have bigger vehicles because the cost of fuel is included in the past choices they've made (if I'm understanding your question).

Where I am right now, gas is over €2 per liter. But it's common to have a little car that's fuel efficient. In lots of places in the US (and Canada, where gas is not as cheap but has been under $1 CAD per liter in the last fee years), there are way more SUVs and pickups.

I'm not trying to say it's good or bad, just that it's a shock based on what people are used to.

I assume they have to commute further too

> so even the US is

Specifically, the article focuses on gas prices in California.