> People should just keep driving inefficient cars rather than having gas prices increase so they can evaluate whether getting a more efficient car makes sense for them.
You're assuming many can even buy a car right now, let alone a new one.
I don't live in a "first world" country, where I live people have cars, some even chinese ones.
I would assume in the first world people can have cars and air conditioning, maybe not having AC, a car, or a home is a first world problem now. If an average person in a middle income country can drive a car, surely its possible for most of humanity.
You're assuming many can even buy a car right now, let alone a new one.