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. The brush assembly defines a first surface facing the stator and a second surface opposite the first surface. The brush assembly includes a brush card mount having openings, brushes in sliding contact with the commutator to supply electric current to the commutator, and thermally-conductive brush holders that house the brushes. Each of the brush holders includes 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 base portion through a respective opening of the brush card mount to house a respective brush at least partially over the second surface of the brush assembly.