Across the pond in the UK they're expanding ULEZ and this is a major sticking point. You need to upgrade to more fuel efficient cars, right when buying shopping is expensive enough. They want you to get new cars, and the majority cannot aford them.
In the UK “the shopping” means food, groceries, and other essentials (although it can mean luxury items too). Giving phrases like “I’ll carry in the shopping” or “I’m going out for the shopping”.
So saying it’s expensive to be buying shopping is saying food, etc. is expensive.