I agree with you: a VFR, EFR or IFR pilot shouldn't fly where he/she is not up to the task.

The high cost: another good reason why some VFR pilots will not take the IFR rating.

250 hours is a lot but probably right. If the average private pilot flies 25 IFR hours per year then it will take him 10 years to be comfortable. Another reason why an EFR rating would less demanding. The EFR rating is simply to be able to follow ATC instructions, the airways and some other rules which I don't know but a lot less demanding compare to the IFR rating.

And the EFR pilot will have to work with the wx like the VFR and IFR pilots do.