That doesn't even play in the vacuum of space. An object at rest has inertia. You must apply a force across a distance (energy) to move it. Remember that first day of physics class? F = mA. E = F X D. Remember that other silly law...an object in motion tends to remain in motion? Yes, you have to apply energy to stop the object at point B.
With friction approaching zero and speed approaching zero, you can get from point A to point B with energy expendeture approaching zero. All the rest is just details.
Only in fantasy land. It's the details that expose the misunderstanding. You shouldn't omit them.
Remember that first day of calculus class? The lower bound is zero, really. Because of conservation of momentum, the force required to stop is the same and the lower bound is zero also, really.
I did not misunderstand and all pertinent stipulations for the statement to be true were made in the statement(except for elevation change as someone pointed out).
Because you threw out the statement that there was some lower bound of energy for transportation without really thinking about what affects that lower bound, you are limitted in seeing potential solutions.
When I go to work I burn 3 gallons of gasoline. If I drove 55 mph, I would probably burn 2 gallons. If I trimmed 3,000 lbs off my vehicle and made it very aerodynamic, I would burn about a gallon. If I was just moving my body, it would only take a few ounces.
Why does my car weigh 4000 lbs, two reasons.
First I am pushing around a very heavy engine and transmission and a frame capable of carrying that engine. What if I don't need a heavy engine and transmission.
Second, is safety, steel is very effective for safety but by no means is required. Soldiers don't wear steel helmets because it is too heavy and there is material that provides more safety with less weight.
Actually, there is a third reason. Steel is cheap.
If you break down where your energy is going, you can figure out what you need to use and what you are using just because that is how your dad did it.
Remember the lower bound is really zero. Every bit of energy above that buys you something but there may be a smarter way of doing it.