The /dev site states it is possible to retain the map service between launches, yet using this I was unable to get it to work. Still have to adjust manually at each launch of sim_vehicle.py.
To keep the new map service between launches, add the following lines to the end of your “.bashrc” (change MicrosoftHyb to the provider you want):
export MAP_SERVICE=“MicrosoftHyb”
https://ardupilot.org/dev/docs/setting-up-sitl-on-linux.html