It is often more convenient to consider the electrostatic potential V
rather than electric field 
as the motivating influence for
the flow of electric charge.
The generalized vector properties of are usually unimportant.
The change in potential dV across a distance 
in an electric
field is
A positive charge will move from a higher to a lower potential. The potential is also referred to as the potential difference or, incorrectly, as just voltage:
Remember that current flowing in a conductor is due to a potential difference between its ends. Electrons move from a point of less positive potential to more positive potential and the current flows in the opposite direction.
The SI unit of potential difference is the volt (V).