Often iOS update include carrier updates which can control whether switching cellular types are allowed. Many carriers are phasing out 2G so they can reuse the frequencies for more efficient newer technologies. They want to reserve the limited remaining 2G for phones that can't use anything newer, so they disable 2G option in carrier updates for phones that can use 3G or faster networks.
With a modern phone, there shouldn't be much difference in battery usage between 2G and 3G, anyway.