Was it that common? Where I’m from that’s “winter driving mode” because it’s safer on slippery surfaces, but rarely anyone would do that in the summer time.

My EV is set on max regen mode though, and I sometimes drive without pressing the brakes, as there’s a paddle I can use to use regen for all my braking needs bar an emergency. It even has a name - single pedal driving.

Can't speak to if it's common, but it was how I was taught and drove in California... so there was rarely any winter conditions to speak of.

I preferred downshifting VS braking, personally