RBCs are basically just a bag of hemoglobin that deliver oxygen to tissues that need it. It’s not really clear that they are living. The fact that RBCs carry oxygen suggest that they should not use it. Just like the liver does not use ketone bodies, it makes sense that RBCs don’t consume oxygen. read more
They metabolize glucose mainly via glycolysis, forming lactate which is released from the cells; this yields 2 ATP for each glucose molecule, much less than complete oxidation (ca 30 ATP), but enough to support the red blood cells' energy needs. read more