noun
cost of a car; car purchase price
Refers to the price of buying a car, not running costs.
新車の車代は思ったより高かった。
The cost of the new car was higher than I expected.
駅までの車代を渡した。
I gave him the fare to the station.
noun
honorarium for travel; travel allowance
A polite monetary gift to cover transportation costs, often given at weddings or formal events. Usually prefixed with お (お車代). Sense 4 specifically refers to the custom at weddings for distant guests.
披露宴の後、遠方からの出席者にお車代を渡した。
After the reception, we gave travel allowances to guests who came from far away.
講演の謝礼としてお車代をいただきました。
I received an honorarium for travel as a token of appreciation for the lecture.