But this assumes "well-functioning public transport". In reality, this does not exist. Many, even most buses where I live are empty most of the time.
Energy efficiency issues aside, cars provide something even more valuable: isolation and privacy from the disgusting and invasive sensory overload that is public transport.
Replacing street cars with public buses is hardly eliminating public transportation. Honestly, buses have so many advantages over electric streetcars that I wouldn't be surprised if this move prevented a lot of cities from scrapping their public transportation all together. Even countries that don't share the US's unfortunate emphasis on automobile transportation don't use streetcars anymore.
Energy efficiency issues aside, cars provide something even more valuable: isolation and privacy from the disgusting and invasive sensory overload that is public transport.