<P> In countries such as the United States the infrastructure that makes car use possible, such as highways, roads and parking lots is funded by the government and supported through zoning and construction requirements . Fuel taxes in the United States cover about 60% of highway construction and repair costs, but little of the cost to construct or repair local roads . Payments by motor - vehicle users fall short of government expenditures tied to motor - vehicle use by 20--70 cents per gallon of gas . Zoning laws in many areas require that large, free parking lots accompany any new buildings . Municipal parking lots are often free or do not charge a market rate . Hence, the cost of driving a car in the US is subsidized, supported by businesses and the government who cover the cost of roads and parking . This is in addition to other external costs car users do not pay like accidents or pollution . Even in countries with higher gas taxes like Germany motorists don't fully pay for the external costs they create . </P> <P> This government support of the automobile through subsidies for infrastructure, the cost of highway patrol enforcement, recovering stolen cars, and many other factors makes public transport a less economically competitive choice for commuters when considering Out - of - pocket expenses . Consumers often make choices based on those costs, and underestimate the indirect costs of car ownership, insurance and maintenance . However, globally and in some US cities, tolls and parking fees partially offset these heavy subsidies for driving . Transportation planning policy advocates often support tolls, increased fuel taxes, congestion pricing and market - rate pricing for municipal parking as a means of balancing car use in urban centers with more efficient modes such as buses and trains . </P> <P> When cities charge market rates for parking, and when bridges and tunnels are tolled, driving becomes less competitive in terms of out - of - pocket costs . When municipal parking is underpriced and roads are not tolled, most of the cost of vehicle usage is paid for by general government revenue, a subsidy for motor vehicle use . The size of this subsidy dwarfs the federal, state, and local subsidies for the maintenance of infrastructure and discounted fares for public transportation . </P> <P> By contrast, although there are environmental and social costs for rail, there is a very small impact . </P>

Discuss the importance of the automobile as part of the culture of america