The Framework 12 and 13 have only 4 ports which is not much compared to non-modular laptops.
If I were to not need usb-c and not get the usb-c expansion card, could I theoretically charge over usb-a with the appropriate charger?
Thank you.
No you need one usb-c for charging. USB-A can by design only transfer power in one direction.
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USB-A is limited to 15W, according to the spec, if I remember correctly. You’d be charging very slowly, at best. 
As output, the rated limit for input is 0W
If extra ports are needed there are lots of USBC Hubs that have all the ports a normal user ever needs. This is quite common for people who use their laptop at home or work and take their machine with them regularly.
Monitor, printer, backup HDD, Ethernet, mouse, keyboard, even speakers can all be connected to a single hub and the laptop can connect to just one cable for everything.
Some Thunderbolt/USB4 hubs offer PD to charge the laptop too to truly make it a one plug solution.
In reality, most of the ports on the other laptops being cited never get used yet the consumer is paying for them all day long.