An electric motor is provided including a stator, an armature rotatably received within the stator and having an armature shaft on which a commutator is mounted, and a brush assembly defining a first surface facing the stator and a second surface opposite the first surface. The brush assembly includes a brush card mount disposed around the commutator, brushes in sliding contact with the commutator to supply electric current to the commutator, and thermally-conductive brush holders. Each brush holder a base portion disposed substantially along a same plane as a surface of the brush card mount to form the first surface of the brush assembly, and a main portion protruding from the second surface of the brush assembly to house a respective brush. The base portions of the brush holders are exposed on the first surface of the brush assembly to transfer heat generated by the brushes through the first surface of the brush assembly.