Tesla is set to roll out its Semi trucks late Thursday at an inauguration for its plant in Sparks, Nevada, nearly nine years after CEO Elon Musk unveiled the electric heavy-duty vehicle. Designed for long-haul freight, the Semi has a range of up to 500 miles. Tesla first unveiled it in 2017 and initially expected production to start in 2019, while its July shareholder letter later moved production to 2026 after an earlier forecast for volume output this year. The truck expands Tesla's business beyond electric sedans and SUVs into commercial freight hauling as diesel prices in the United States have reached record highs. Tesla began limited deliveries, including to PepsiCo, in late 2022. Delays, rising competition and reversals in U.S. electric-vehicle policies have raised concerns about demand, although Catalyst Mobility said a coalition of major cargo-owning shippers, including Microsoft and PepsiCo, ordered 2,500 Semis this week. That order is nearly twice the existing U.S. fleet of electric Class 8 trucks, while Swedish freight technology company Einride AB announced last month that it would add 500 Semis to its fleet. Tesla has said the Nevada factory can eventually produce up to 50,000 units annually, and investors and fans are seeking details on production expansion, pricing and major customers.