Nice post you've obviously done your research.

And yes Chariots are the best against light cav. and are good to disrupt formations and are also not bad versus elephants.
Never really bothered to use them though, although I have never played as Pontus
Always found that ( especially the general unit ) die to fast and often run amok when they get casualties , and I don't want them to disrupt My formations

But if I use them ( which I rarely do ) I tend to target the generals cav. or attack from behind into an engaged enemy unit.