Don't have PHEV but hope this helps...
I see what you are saying, however, in practice the initial error rate for all of us (now a sample of N=4) was high implying some cognitive disconnect. Of course, after a day or so we would learn what paddle to achieve the desired outcome and it becomes ingrained, automated and no longer requires higher level cognitive functioning. But, the first part of reducing human error is to "make the right way the easy way".It would seem counterintuitive for me to have to check the mode of the vehicle and transpose paddle functions mentally. I think it's logical from a behavioral standpoint to think in terms of left paddle=slower (ie. lower gear or more braking) and right paddle=faster (less braking and higher gear). No?