Private Fleet Net Zero

What Private Fleet Net Zero does

Private Fleet Net Zero (PFNZ), legally Private Fleet Net Zero, LLC (Illinois, USA), operates an AI-powered freight matching platform that connects private and dedicated trucking fleets' unused backhaul capacity with freight loads from brokers, 3PLs, and volume buyers. The platform addresses a structural inefficiency in which 50-90% of private fleet return trips run empty, representing an estimated 1.7 million private fleet trucks in the US — roughly 45% of the national truck population. Fleets submit available lanes via CSV, API, or web application; buyers submit loads via API; the platform's matching engine evaluates equipment, geographic compatibility, schedule, pricing thresholds, and carbon impact to propose actionable offers. Technology is multi-patent pending and originates from Cargo Chief's digital freight matching IP, with Dynamic Carrier Pricing™ adjusting offer rates based on distance, fleet size, and market demand.

PFNZ's business model is a freemium, two-sided marketplace with asymmetric fee structure: private fleet enrollment is free with no subscription or platform fees, while freight buyers pay transaction-based 3PL fees (stated as 2% of matched freight value plus a $1,000/month subscription). The company claims 200,000+ engaged private fleet trucks and $20B+ registered freight spend, targeting sophisticated buyers representing over $50B of annual freight spend. Go-to-market combines an API-first product with enterprise field sales targeting large brokers and 3PLs, supported by ROI and benefit calculators as conversion tools. Distribution is amplified by integrations with TMS providers (Trimble, Redwood Logistics, Mastery Connect), a payment guarantee partnership with Allianz Trade covering 85 million businesses globally, and thought leadership across podcasts and trade media.

The company was founded by Russell Jones (CEO), Owen Elliott (Founder), and Ethan Martin (Co-Founder), with additional leadership including Kyle Nashert (VP Carrier Sales), Vijay Sam (VP Development), and Daisy Bautista (Customer Success Lead). Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, headquartered at 350 California Street, Suite 400, San Francisco. PFNZ was recognized as a Food Logistics 2025 Top Tech Start Up and continues to position ESG reporting and emissions reduction (claiming 2,000,000 tons of CO2 reduction and 30M+ tree equivalents saved) as a differentiated value proposition alongside cost savings of 10-30% per load.

Name

Private Fleet Net Zero

Legal name

Private Fleet Net Zero, LLC

Website

https://privatefleetnz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PFNZ operates an AI-powered freight matching marketplace that monetizes empty backhaul miles of private trucking fleets by connecting them with freight buyers, using multi-patent pending technology inherited from Cargo Chief and a buyer-paid transaction fee model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Matching Platform

NAICS

Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing (5321)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Wholesale Vehicle Auctions (Physical & Online) (TLABAKAA)

Keywords

• Freight matching platform
• Backhaul optimization
• Digital freight brokerage
• Logistics technology
• Truckload matching

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 3PL Transaction Fees: PFNZ generates revenue through 3PL fees charged when loads are successfully matched between private fleets and buyers. Private fleets pay nothing - the entire fee structure is borne by the freight buyers who save money compared to traditional spot and contract rates.
2. Brokerage Fees: Fees calculated as 2% of matched freight value plus $1,000/month subscription component. A $500M broker can save $3M/year with PFNZ matches after fees, suggesting a 10X ROI on PFNZ fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Private Fleet Net Zero operates an AI-powered freight matching platform that aggregates private fleet backhaul capacity and matches it with freight buyer loads. Private fleets submit available lanes via API, CSV, or web application, and buyers submit loads via API; the AI engine evaluates geographic compatibility, fleet availability, carbon impact, pricing thresholds, and equipment specifications to recommend matches. PFNZ charges buyers a 2% transaction fee plus a $1,000/month component, while private fleets pay nothing.

Product overview

PFNZ operates as a unified platform combining a core AI-powered freight matching engine with supporting tools. The primary offering is the PFNZ AI-Powered Matching Platform, which connects private fleet backhaul capacity with freight buyers using multi-patent pending technology. The platform leverages Dynamic Carrier Pricing™ for rate optimization and includes complementary tools such as the ROI Calculator (for buyers/brokers), Fleet Benefit Calculator (for private fleets), and ESG Reporting Tools for sustainability tracking. Fleets submit lane availability via CSV, API, or web application; buyers submit loads via API; the AI engine handles matching and streamlines interactions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PFNZ AI-Powered Matching Platform AI-powered platform that matches private fleet backhaul availability with freight buyer loads by evaluating geographic compatibility, fleet availability, carbon impact, pricing thresholds, and equipment specifications. Fleets submit lanes via API, CSV, or web application; buyers submit loads via API; the AI engine handles matching automatically.
• Dynamic Carrier Pricing™ Pricing tool that adjusts offer rates based on distance, fleet size, and market demand to balance fleet and buyer needs, enabling 5-30% savings on spot and contract rates for freight buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10-30% cost reduction on freight compared to traditional for-hire rates
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cargo ChiefcoreTechnology or IntegrationPFNZ born out of Cargo Chief technology. Partnership provides instant connectivity to popular 3PL Transportation Management Systems and multi-patented digital freight matching innovations.
• DeloitteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarry Hitchcock, Enterprise Advisor from Deloitte, collaborates on thought leadership regarding technology, competition, and fleet transformation in logistics.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• J.B. Hunt 360: J.B. Hunt's digital freight matching platform aggregating carrier capacity including private fleet backhaul. The most direct competitor targeting the same private fleet backhaul monetization niche, backed by a major asset-based carrier.
• Echo Global Logistics: Technology-enabled 3PL providing truckload, LTL, and managed transportation with proprietary matching technology. Comparable asset-light brokerage model serving similar broker and shipper buyer segments.
• Coyote Logistics: UPS-owned non-asset-based 3PL offering truckload, LTL, and intermodal brokerage with digital matching tools. A broader incumbent in the same freight matching space, with greater scale and asset-light brokerage heritage.

Direct peers

• Uber Freight: Digital freight brokerage marketplace connecting shippers with carriers using AI-driven matching. Closest direct competitor to PFNZ, though operating at much larger scale across for-hire rather than private fleet capacity.
• Convoy: Former digital freight broker that pioneered AI-driven carrier matching before shutting down in 2023. Closest historical analog to PFNZ's marketplace model and a key reference point for unit-economics viability in this category.
• Redwood Logistics: 4PL and managed transportation provider with TMS platform that integrates with PFNZ. Comparable broker/3PL buyer proposition and an active integration partner making it both a peer and a distribution channel.
• Loadsmart: AI-powered digital freight platform that matches shipper demand with carrier capacity for full truckload and intermodal. Directly comparable technology-and-marketplace model targeting similar broker and shipper buyer segments.

Emerging players

• Flexport: Digital freight forwarder applying software to international and domestic freight matching. Comparable technology-first approach to freight, though focused more on forwarding than domestic truckload backhaul matching.
• FourKites: Supply chain visibility platform with predictive ETA and yard management. Adjacent technology category serving overlapping shipper and broker buyer segments with complementary real-time visibility capabilities.
• project44: Supply chain visibility and connectivity platform linking shippers, carriers, and 3PLs. Adjacent technology buyer overlap with PFNZ's broker and TMS-integrated distribution strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@privatefleetnetzero
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/private-fleet-net-zero
• Xx.com/PrivateFleetNZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Private Fleet Net Zero