Some embodiments are directed to an electric motor that includes a stator including a plurality of circumferentially distributed drive elements for causing an electromagnetic driving force to be applied to a rotor of the electric motor in use. Each drive element includes a wire extending around a metal core to define a plurality of coils for magnetizing the metal core when current flows in the coils. At least one space exists between the metal core of each respective drive element and the coils around it. A cooling device is provided for transferring heat away from the drive elements. Each drive element further includes a heat conductor including a plurality of mutually electrically isolated metallic elements located in the or each respective space between the metal core thereof and the coils around it, for transferring heat from the coils to the cooling device.