An axial fan has an inner-rotor motor which includes a drive end, a non-drive end and a shaft which extends axially from the drive end; and an impeller which includes a cylindrical impeller cup and a number of impeller blades that extend radially from the impeller cup. The impeller cup has an open upstream end and a closed downstream end which is connected to the shaft. In operation, the motor spins the impeller to generate an airflow in a direction from the non-drive end of the motor to the drive end of the motor. The impeller cup is configured to receive the motor therein and surround the drive end of the motor but not the non-drive end of the motor. As a result, the non-drive end of the motor is exposed to the airflow during operation of the fan.