Abstract: A self-starting brushless electric motor comprises a first motor part (stator) (11) and a second motor part (rotor) (16), each motor part having plurality of pole units (12U, 12V) arranged in a pole row. The motor parts are supported for relative movement with the pole rows confronting one another across an air gap. The poles of each row include first-type poles (13, 19) and/or second-type poles (14), each row having at least one pole type, either a reluctance pole or a permanent-magnet pole magnetized transversely across the air gap, which is included in all pole units of the row. At least one of the pole rows includes such a second-type pole. At least one pole unit of at least one of the pole rows includes a pole which is magnetically asymmetric to establish a preferential direction of rotation of the motor parts (11, 16). A polyphase winding system comprises first-phase and second-phase winding coils (15U, 15V) disposed around the pole units (12A, 12V) of the first motor part (11).