If I remember correctly, that mod template didn't come with support for that file.
In content.xml, under the dataFiles section, add this after the entry for vehicles.meta:
<Item>
<filename>dlc_modding:/common/data/carcols.meta</filename>
<fileType>CARCOLS_FILE</fileType>
<overlay value="false" />
<disabled value="true" />
<persistent value="false" />
</Item>
And then under the filesToEnable section, add this line after the line for vehicles.meta:
<Item>dlc_modding:/common/data/carcols.meta</Item>
You should then be able to add your meta file and have it loaded by the game.