No — regenerative braking does not wear out brake pads.
In fact, it dramatically reduces brake pad wear because regen braking uses the electric motor, not the mechanical friction brakes.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

Why Regen Braking Does NOT Wear Brake Pads

Regenerative braking works by reversing the electric motor and turning the car’s momentum into electricity, which charges the battery.
This creates resistance in the motor that slows the vehicle without touching the brake pads or rotors.

So:

No heat
No friction
No physical contact
No pad material worn away

📌 Zero physical wear on pads during regen braking.

When Brake Pads Do Wear in an EV

Even with regenerative braking, friction brakes are used in certain situations:

1. Hard/emergency braking

The friction brakes take over for maximum stopping power.

2. Low speeds (<5–10 mph)

Regen effectiveness drops, so friction brakes finish the stop.

3. Battery full or nearly full

When the battery can’t accept charge, the car reduces or disables regen.

4. Very cold weather

Batteries don’t accept charge well when cold → regen limited → friction brakes used more.

5. Highway panic stops or steep downhill braking

Friction brakes supplement regen.

Real-World Result: Brake Pads Last Way Longer

Because regen handles most braking:

EV and hybrid brake pads often last 80,000–150,000+ miles
Rotors can last 100,000–200,000+ miles
Some Tesla and Prius owners reach 200,000+ miles on original pads

Compared to gas cars (20,000–60,000 miles), this is 2–5× longer.

Biggest issue: Rust, NOT wear

Because brake pads are used so little, the real problem can be:

Rotor rust
Pad glazing
Sticky calipers
Brake surface corrosion from lack of use

Many EVs run occasional “brake wipes” or apply friction brakes lightly to prevent rust.

Summary

Question	Answer
Does regen braking wear brake pads?	❌ No
Does it reduce brake pad wear?	✅ Significantly
When do pads wear?	Hard stops, cold battery, full battery, low-speed stops
Typical EV pad lifespan	80,000–150,000+ miles