Volvo Trucks North America has unveiled Load Finder, a new digital load board designed to help carriers minimize deadhead miles and maximize equipment utilization. Unlike many subscription-based platforms, Load Finder is completely free and fully integrated into Volvo Connect, the company’s fleet management ecosystem.
The tool was developed in partnership with Class8, a Canadian freight technology startup, making Volvo the first OEM (original equipment manufacturer) to provide its customers with a built-in load board solution.
How Load Finder Works
Load Finder aggregates freight opportunities from over 40 different sources, including public load boards and direct broker connections. By pulling these listings into one centralized platform, carriers no longer need to log into multiple systems to search for available freight.
The platform is accessible via both desktop and mobile devices, and it does not require any additional hardware or software. For fleets that already operate with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) or Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Load Finder offers API integration for seamless connectivity.
The project originated in Volvo’s Innovation Lab, where the team connected with Class8 during a Plug and Play “deal flow” event, an innovation matchmaking program that pairs startups with industry leaders. From there, the two companies co-developed the data architecture and load recommendation engine behind Load Finder.
For the first year of launch, Volvo secured exclusive rights to the service among OEMs, meaning only Volvo and Mack customers could access the platform.
Early Results from the Pilot Program
A pilot program kicked off in January 2025 with about 10 Volvo carriers. Since then, the platform has facilitated more than 21,000 accepted loads, giving users a head start in improving freight efficiency despite ongoing market headwinds.
According to Volvo, market conditions have influenced adoption rates, but the company sees strong potential as fleets seek new ways to cut costs and optimize operations.
Addressing the Deadhead Problem
Empty miles remain a persistent challenge in trucking. Research from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) shows that 16% of all non-tank truck operations involve deadheading, when trucks haul empty trailers without freight.
These empty trips result in:
- Wasted fuel and higher operating costs
- Lower driver productivity
- Increased carbon emissions
Peter Voorhoeve, President of Volvo Trucks North America, highlighted the significance of Load Finder: “Deadheading represents lost time, lost money and unnecessary environmental impact for our customers and for the industry. With Load Finder, we are offering a simple, free service that helps fleets improve utilization, lower costs and reduce emissions.”
For new carriers, the platform reduces the barriers to entering the freight market by providing easy access to loads without costly subscription fees. For established fleets, it offers a streamlined way to maximize utilization and reduce operational waste.
When combined with Volvo Connect’s other fleet management features, such as maintenance scheduling, performance monitoring, and compliance tools Load Finder becomes part of a broader ecosystem designed to help carriers run smarter, more sustainable operations.
Volvo has become the first OEM to introduce its own load board, developed in partnership with freight tech startup Class8. The platform is completely free to use, eliminating the subscription costs that many competitors require. By aggregating freight listings from more than 40 different sources, Load Finder provides carriers with a single, convenient place to search for available loads. Since its pilot launch in early 2025, the tool has already facilitated over 21,000 accepted loads, demonstrating its potential to improve efficiency for fleets of all sizes. Beyond cost savings and convenience, the platform also addresses a significant environmental challenge by reducing the nearly 16% of miles that trucks currently drive without freight, cutting down on wasted fuel, emissions, and lost productivity.
