thinking of buying, anxious about having to pay for features in the future

You can use your own SIM from another carrier but you will loose the APP conectivity and also OTA updates. So, yes, your "fear" does make sense

Recently in Australia after 2 years of ownership the internet data was turned off. BYD do offer a monthly plan if you wish to keep using data via their SIM card in the car. However, access to the car using the BYD app is not affected and the car receiving software updates is also not affected. So basically they turned off free data for apps that need internet such as Spotify and live traffic updates using the navigation app. If you need data for theses apps just hotspot your phone. I don't use these apps as i use Apple Carplay so having the data turned off for me has not mattered at all as i never really used it.

Cool. Is it still possible to turn on the AC remotely without paying for a data plan? How much are they charging?

> Is it still possible to turn on the AC remotely without paying for a data plan? Yes. > How much are they charging? $9.99/month.

In principle, the app's functions are not lost if you don't have the BYD internet plan after the 2 free years; furthermore, you can not only use your own SIM card to have internet on the car, but you have to change the SIM card every time you want to use the mobile app, since the app recognizes the car by the SIM card; the other option is much simpler simply create a Wi-Fi hotspot from your phone, And you'll be able to use the car's apps, or Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. In other words, there are several options.

Or, get a USB hotspot which accepts sim card. Get a data card & plug the hotspot in the car's USB power supply. On the car's infotainment system settings, connect the car's wifi to the hotspot. Done.

How does it connect to the car?

the sim is still active, you just only get app access and updates.