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I think to some extent it comes down to the ability to effect the outcome of stage. Most car/bottle interaction is unlikely to have much impact on a stage, and where it has, it is more likely to be penalised.
Also, the riders benefiting from a bit of sticky bottling are going to be the domestiques going back to the cars for bidons and snacks, not the people who are likely to be winning the race. Giving them a wee breather before heading back to the peloton with snacks and boissons is hardly the same thing as getting towed up the road to the next group, a la Nibbles.
Brommers
I think to some extent it comes down to the ability to effect the outcome of stage. Most car/bottle interaction is unlikely to have much impact on a stage, and where it has, it is more likely to be penalised.
I think here, in a team time trial where every second will effect your leader's GC chances, and the rule is pretty clear and easy to police, you've got what's coming to you. In this case, they won by two seconds. Who's to say those little pushes didn't make all the difference?
Once they decided there was a contravention it boggles the mind how they thought they could make up a sanction different to what is clearly stated in the rule book.